- National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) disclosed that Nigerians will need to make payment to acquire the new national ID card
- The new card is to be multipurpose, used for government services, payments, and identity verification
- NIMC planned to make the card accessible to less privileged Nigerians through partnerships with banks
The National Identity Management Commission has disclosed that Nigerians will need to pay for the newly introduced multipurpose national identity card, citing limited government funds.
Dr Peter Iwegbu, who heads the Card Management Services at NIMC, addressed disclosed this on Friday, November 22, during a two-day roundtable for journalists in Lagos.
ID card funding not feasible due to revenue constraints
Iwegbu pointed out that the decision was driven by the desire to avoid repeating previous mistakes, such as offering free physical cards to Nigerians who were largely left unclaimed.
He added that the payment was required to ensure the card would be produced only for those in need of it.
Iwegbu mentioned that during a past initiative to provide free National ID cards, the NIMC created over two million cards, but a large portion of them are still unclaimed.
“The government’s limited revenue is also a major factor in the decision to make Nigerians pay for the new ID card,” he stated.
Iwegbu clarified that the government could not allocate funds for ID card production due to its revenue constraints.
Director discusses issues with free national ID cards
The new card, driven by AfriGO and launched with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System, will be used for all government services and interventions across multiple Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
Mr Lanre Yusuf, the Director of Information Technology at NIMC, further explained that the concept of offering free national ID cards had not worked out well in the past.
Yusuf characterised the new ID card as a post-paid identity card, which means individuals must acquire the card before they are eligible to request it.
NIMC partners with banks to simplify card collection
“To get the new national ID card, Nigerians will need to make a payment, select a pickup location, and then collect their card from the chosen location.
“The government has implemented programmes to make the card accessible to the less privileged Nigerians who cannot afford it but require it to access government support.
“This initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to inclusivity and equality,” Yusuf stated.
He further said, “NIMC is working with banks across the country, which will make it possible for people to walk into any bank closest to them and request the card.
“The new national ID card is a multipurpose card that can serve the purpose of identity verification, payments, and even government services,” he added.
How to register for NIN: Step-by-step breakdown for Nigerian adults, minors
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the process involved in the NIN enrolment of adults (above 16 years) and minors (0-15 years) was different in Nigeria.
The processes and documents needed for the registration by applicants were equally different depending on their age group.