The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced that Nigerians will be required to pay for the newly introduced multipurpose national identity cards due to limited government funding. This was revealed by Peter Iwegbu, head of card management services at NIMC, during a two-day press briefing in Lagos.
Iwegbu stated that the payment system is designed to ensure that only those who genuinely need the cards apply for them. This approach addresses issues from previous initiatives, where physical cards were distributed for free but often went uncollected.
He further explained that charging for the cards would improve resource management by streamlining their production and distribution. The new multipurpose ID cards are intended to serve various purposes, such as identification, facilitating financial transactions, and accessing government services.
According to Iwegbu, “Before we stopped due to funding, we produced over two million cards, but many remain in our office because people didn’t collect them—they didn’t need them.”
He also highlighted the government’s financial constraints, noting that limited revenue was a key factor in the decision to implement a paid model for the cards.
To improve accessibility, NIMC is partnering with banks nationwide, allowing individuals to visit their nearest bank to request the card.
Lanre Yusuf, NIMC’s director of information technology, also addressed the issue, pointing out that the previous model of providing free national ID cards was ineffective. He described the new system as a “post-paid identity card,” where individuals must demonstrate a need for the card before initiating the process.
Yusuf explained that acquiring the new card will require payment, selecting a pickup location, and collecting the card from that chosen site. Additionally, measures have been put in place to ensure the less privileged who need the card for accessing government services can obtain it, reflecting the government’s commitment to inclusivity.
He added that the multipurpose ID cards, which will soon be launched, have already undergone testing. “The new national ID card is designed for multiple uses, including identity verification, financial transactions, and accessing government services,” Yusuf said.
