The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says Nigerians will have to pay for the new multipurpose national identity card due to limited government revenue.
Dr. Peter Iwegbu, Head of Card Management Services at NIMC, stated this during a two-day roundtable for journalists in Lagos.
He stated on Friday that the payment was to ensure that it was only created for those who required it.
Iwegbu stated that the choice was made to prevent repeating the mistake of previous attempts to provide actual cards to Nigerians for free, which many did not collect.
According to Iwegbu, approximately two million cards were generated during the NIMC’s earlier attempt to provide free National ID cards, but many of them have yet to be collected.
“The government’s limited revenue is also a major factor in the decision to make Nigerians pay for the new ID card,” he said.
Iwegbu noted that the government’s inadequate revenue prevented it from funding the creation of ID cards.
Also addressing, Mr. Lanre Yusuf, Director of Information Technology at NIMC, stated that the idea of a free national ID card has not worked in the past.
Yusuf defined the new ID card as a post-paid identification card, implying that people must need it before requesting it.
“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 the 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,” Yusuf said.
He stated that the versatile ID cards were likely to be released soon, with sample test cards already received.
Yusuf further stated that the NIMC had worked with banks to allow Nigerians to request and receive their cards from any bank branch, ensuring a seamless experience.
“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 introduced in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System.
The card will be valid for all government interventions and services across numerous ministries, departments, and agencies.
