The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has revealed that Nigerians will be required to pay for the newly designed multipurpose national identity card due to limited government revenue.
The announcement was made during a two-day journalists’ roundtable in Lagos, with Dr. Peter Iwegbu, Head of Card Management Services at NIMC, explaining that the payment ensures the card is issued only to those who genuinely need it.
Dr. Iwegbu highlighted the problem with past efforts to distribute free National ID cards, where over two million cards were produced but many went uncollected. “This time, we aim to avoid such issues by charging for the cards, which will help streamline the distribution process,” he said.
Additionally, the Director of Information Technology at NIMC, Mr. Lanre Yusuf, echoed similar sentiments, stating that previous attempts to provide free ID cards had not been successful. The new system will require individuals to pay for their cards, select a pickup location, and collect them from a bank of their choice.
Yusuf also reassured that the government has developed initiatives to make the cards accessible to underprivileged Nigerians who may need them for government support programs. “This approach ensures that those who truly need the card can get it, regardless of financial standing,” he explained.
The NIMC is working in collaboration with banks across the country to facilitate the card issuance process, with Nigerians being able to request their cards directly at any participating bank branch.
The new multipurpose ID card, powered by AfriGO and developed in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System, is designed to serve multiple functions, including identity verification, payments, and access to government services. It will support various government programs across different ministries, departments, and agencies.
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