The National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, has announced that Nigerians will need to pay for the new multipurpose national identity card, citing limited government revenue and a focus on issuing cards only to those who truly need them.
Dr. Peter Iwegbu, NIMC’s Head of Card Management Services, explained that the payment model aims to avoid wastage, noting that over two million free ID cards issued in the past remain uncollected.
The government has established programs to provide access to the card for underprivileged Nigerians who require it to access essential services and government support.
“This demonstrates the government’s commitment to inclusivity,” Mr. Lanre Yusuf, NIMC’s Director of Information Technology, explained.
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Powered by AfriGO and developed in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System, the card will support identity verification, payments, and access to government services. Banks nationwide will serve as distribution points.
This initiative underscores NIMC’s goal of streamlining identity management while ensuring the card’s functionality in facilitating government programs and services.
The NIMC established by the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, has the mandate to establish, own, operate, maintain and manage the National Identity Database in Nigeria, register persons covered by the Act, assign a Unique National Identification Number and issue General Multi-Purpose Cards to those who are citizens of Nigeria as well as others legally residing within the country.
The NIMC Act 2007 provides for the establishment of the NIMC, its functions, powers, establishment of the National Identity Database, assignment of the National Identification Number as well as issuance of token General Multi-purpose cards. The Act also provides the Commission with powers to make regulations connected with its functions. The NIMC Act 2007 provides the repeal of the law that created the former Department of National Civic Registration and the transfer of its assets and liabilities to the NIMC.
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