The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced that Nigerians must now pay for the newly introduced multipurpose national identity card, citing the government’s limited revenue as a key factor.
During a two-day press conference in Lagos, Peter Iwegbu, Head of the Commission’s Card Management Services, shared this development.
Iwegbu explained that this approach aims to prioritize the production of cards for individuals who genuinely need them, avoiding past inefficiencies where free cards were left unclaimed.
“Before we stopped production due to funding constraints, we produced more than two million cards, but many are still in our offices. People didn’t collect them because they didn’t need them,” Iwegbu revealed.
To streamline the process, NIMC collaborates with banks nationwide, allowing citizens to easily request and collect their ID cards from their nearest bank.
Improved Accessibility and Inclusivity
Lanre Yusuf, NIMC’s Director of Information Technology, emphasized that the new cards will operate on a post-paid model, ensuring individuals request and pay for them only if needed.
“The government has also introduced measures to ensure underprivileged Nigerians can access the card to benefit from government support,” Yusuf added.
The multipurpose ID card, developed in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), will facilitate payments, identity verification, and access to government services. The initiative, powered by AfriGO, reflects the government’s commitment to inclusivity and efficiency.
With the launch expected soon, sample cards are already in circulation, marking the next step in improving Nigeria’s national identity system.
