Why Nigerians Will Have to Pay for the New National ID Card – NIMC

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) announced on Friday that Nigerians will be required to pay for the new multipurpose national identity card, citing the country’s limited government revenue as the primary reason behind this decision. Dr. Peter Iwegbu, the Head of Card Management Services at NIMC, made the statement during a two-day roundtable event for online editors held in Lagos.

Iwegbu explained that the introduction of a payment system was aimed at ensuring that the ID cards are produced only for those who truly need them. He reflected on past attempts to issue free ID cards, noting that over two million cards were produced in a previous initiative but remained uncollected. He emphasized that this approach, while well-meaning, led to a significant waste of resources as many Nigerians did not collect their cards, making it financially unsustainable. According to Iwegbu, the government’s limited financial capacity further influenced the decision to charge for the new cards, as the government could no longer afford to fund their production.

In support of this, Lanre Yusuf, NIMC’s Director of Information Technology, reiterated that the concept of providing free national ID cards had not been successful in the past. He elaborated that the new national ID card would be a post-paid service, meaning that Nigerians would need to first express a genuine need for the card before making a payment and initiating the process to obtain it. This approach, Yusuf explained, would help prevent the waste seen in previous free distribution efforts.

To streamline the process, Nigerians would be required to make a payment, choose a pickup location, and then collect their cards from designated points. However, Yusuf also highlighted that special programs would be in place to help less privileged Nigerians who may not be able to afford the card but still need it to access government support and services. This initiative, he stressed, was designed to ensure inclusivity and fairness.

NIMC is also working with banks across the country to ensure that obtaining the new ID card is as convenient as possible. Nigerians will be able to request and collect their cards from any participating bank branch, which Yusuf said would create greater accessibility, especially in areas where NIMC centers might be less available.

The new national ID card, powered by AfriGO, is set to serve as a multipurpose tool for identity verification, payments, and access to government services. NIMC has partnered with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS) to enable its use for various government interventions across different ministries, departments, and agencies. With sample test cards already received, the full launch of the cards is expected soon, providing Nigerians with a modern, all-in-one identification solution.