The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced that Nigerians will need to pay for the new multipurpose national identity card.
The Head of Card Management Services at NIMC, Dr. Peter Iwegbu, disclosed this during a two-day roundtable for journalists in Lagos.
He said the development has become necessary due to limited government revenue.
He noted that the approach aims to avoid past issues where free physical cards were issued but many remained uncollected.
“In the previous attempt to issue free National ID cards, over two million cards were produced, and many have not been collected till date,” Dr. Iwegbu said.
“The payment ensures that the card is produced only for those who need it.”
Emphasizing that individuals must genuinely need the card before making a request, the Director of Information Technology, NIMC, Mr. Lanre Yusuf, described the new ID card as a post-paid identity card.
Stating that the new national ID card is a multipurpose card that can serve for identity verification, payments, and even government services, Yusuf revealed that the cards are set to launch soon, with sample test cards already received.
“The idea of a free national ID card did not turn out well in the past.” He said.
“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 programs to make the card accessible to less privileged Nigerians who cannot afford it but need it to access government support.
“This initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to inclusivity and equality.
“NIMC is working with banks across the country, allowing people to walk into any bank closest to them and request the card,” he added.
The card is said to have been developed in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System, and AfriGO.
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