The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) announced on Friday that Nigerians would be required to pay for the new multipurpose national identity card due to limited government funding.
Dr. Peter Iwegbu, the NIMC Head of Card Management Services, made the statement during a two-day roundtable event for online editors in Lagos.
He explained that the payment would help ensure that the cards are produced only for individuals who genuinely need them.
Iwegbu also clarified that the decision was made to avoid repeating past mistakes when free identity cards were issued, but many Nigerians failed to collect them.
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He revealed that over two million cards were produced in a previous free issuance effort, but a significant number of them remain uncollected to this day.
“The government’s limited revenue is also a major factor in the decision to make Nigerians pay for the new ID card,” he said.
Mr. Iwegbu stated that the government was unable to fund the production of ID cards at this time.
Similarly, Lanre Yusuf, the Director of Information Technology at NIMC, explained that the concept of a free national ID card had not been successful in the past.
Mr. Yusuf further clarified that the new ID card is a post-paid identity card, meaning individuals must first need the card before they can request it.
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“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 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, “ Mr Yusuf said.
He mentioned that the multipurpose ID cards were set to launch soon, with sample test cards already in hand.
Mr. Yusuf further explained that to ensure a smooth process, NIMC had teamed up with banks nationwide, enabling Nigerians to request and pick up their cards at any bank branch.
“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 said.
The card, powered by AfriGO, was launched in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS).
It will be used for all government interventions and services across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
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