The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced that Nigerians will bear the cost of obtaining the new multipurpose national identity card, citing limited government revenue as the reason behind the decision.
Speaking during a two-day press conference in Lagos on Thursday, Peter Iwegbu, head of card management services at NIMC, explained that making the identity card a paid service would ensure that only individuals who genuinely need it request for it.
“This decision was made to avoid repeating past mistakes where free national ID cards were produced but remained largely uncollected.
“Before we stopped issuing them due to funding constraints, over two million cards were produced, yet a large number are still in our office unclaimed,” Iwegbu said.
He further emphasized that the government’s constrained financial resources could not sustain the production and distribution of the cards at no cost to citizens.
To simplify access, Iwegbu revealed that NIMC is collaborating with banks nationwide, allowing citizens to request and collect their ID cards from their nearest bank.
Also speaking at the event, Lanre Yusuf, director of information technology at NIMC, underscored that offering free national ID cards in the past proved ineffective.
He described the new ID card as a post-paid service, meaning that individuals would only pay for and collect the card if they deem it necessary.
“To obtain the new national ID card, individuals will need to make a payment, select a pickup location, and collect their card at the designated point,” Yusuf stated.
Acknowledging the financial burden the decision might place on vulnerable groups, Yusuf assured that programmes have been introduced to ensure access for less privileged Nigerians.
These initiatives aim to promote inclusivity, enabling those who cannot afford the card to obtain it for accessing critical government support.
The multipurpose card, which is set for imminent launch, will integrate several functionalities, including identity verification, payment services, and access to government programmes and services. Yusuf noted that sample test cards have already been received.
The new national ID card initiative is being developed in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System through AfriGO, a local payment card provider.
In April, the federal government unveiled its plan for the multipurpose card, which will serve as a unified tool for government intervention and services across multiple ministries, departments, and agencies.
The rollout of the new card is expected to enhance efficiency in service delivery and expand the digital identity framework for Nigerians.
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