The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced that Nigerians will now be required to pay for the newly introduced multipurpose national identity card.
According to Peter Iwegbu, NIMC’s head of card management services, this decision stems from the federal government’s limited revenue, which makes it challenging to fund the production of the cards.
The announcement was made during a two-day press conference in Lagos. Iwegbu explained that charging for the cards aims to ensure that only individuals who truly need them will request them, thereby reducing waste.
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“Before we stopped due to funding, we produced more than two million cards, but a lot of them are still in our office because people didn’t need them,” he said.
This move also seeks to address inefficiencies observed in previous attempts to distribute free identity cards, where many remained uncollected.
To make the process more convenient, NIMC is collaborating with banks across the country. Nigerians can visit any participating bank to request and pick up their cards. Additionally, special provisions have been made for less privileged individuals who cannot afford the card but require it for essential government services.
Lanre Yusuf, director of information technology at NIMC, highlighted this effort, stating, “The government has implemented programmes to make the card accessible to less privileged Nigerians who cannot afford it but require it to access government support.”
Features and Expected Launch
The new ID card, described as a “post-paid identity card,” will serve multiple purposes, including identity verification, payments, and access to government services. The card is powered by AfriGO in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System. Yusuf confirmed that sample test cards had already been received, suggesting the card’s readiness for rollout.
The initiative is part of a broader federal government strategy to digitize identification and streamline access to services across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
Concerns Over Potential Apathy
However, there is growing concern that the decision to charge for the cards could lead to public apathy. Some argue that requiring payment could deter many Nigerians, especially those already facing economic hardship, from obtaining the card. This could undermine the government’s goal of broadening access to identification services.
Experts also warn that apathy could mirror the challenges of past distribution efforts, where over two million cards produced for free remained uncollected. Charging for the cards, they say, risks exacerbating this trend, particularly in rural areas where disposable income is limited, and the perceived need for the card may be low.
While NIMC has justified the fees as a necessary response to limited government funding, the policy raises questions about its alignment with inclusivity goals.
To combat potential apathy, experts suggest increasing public awareness of the card’s multipurpose functionality and its benefits, such as facilitating payments and access to government services. These features, they note, could incentivize more people to view the card as an essential tool rather than an optional expense.
While the initiative aims to reduce waste and improve efficiency, the government has been urged to address public skepticism and economic barriers to ensure widespread adoption. How this policy is received will likely set the tone for future reforms in national identification and other public service programs.