₦airaland Forum

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has explained that Nigerians will have to pay for the new multipurpose national Identity card to ensure that it is produced for only those who need it.

The Head of Card Management Services at NIMC, Dr. Peter Iwegbu, stated this on Thursday during a media workshop organized by the Commission in Lagos.

Iwegbu said the decision was made by the Engr. Bisoye Coker-Odusote-led NIMC to avoid repeating the mistake of the past efforts to issue physical cards to Nigerians for free, which many Nigerians did not collect.

According to him, over two million cards were produced in the previous attempt to issue free National ID cards by the NIMC, but many of them were uncollected to date.

“Before we stopped due to funding, we produced more than two million cards but a lot of them are still in our office, people were not able to pick them up because they didn’t need it,” he said.

Limited government revenue
Aside from the issue of collection, Iwegbu explained that the government could also not fund production of ID cards this time because of its limited revenue.

“We tried to review the entire project to find out what the problem was. First is that the government has no money to be able to produce this card and give it out for free.

“Second is that people must have a need for the card so that when we produce it, they will pick it up,” he explained.

Corroborating Iwegbu, the Director of IT at NIMC, Engr. Lanre Yusuf said while the idea of a free national ID card as conceived back then by the National Assembly was good, it did not turn out well as many people abandoned the cards.

“What we are working on now is a post-paid identity card; you just need the card before you initiate the request for the card.

“You make a payment, choose where you want to collect the card and you go and pick it up.

“You cannot go through all these and pay for it and ignore your card,” Yusuf said.

Provisions for less privileged Nigerians
Iwegbu, however, noted that the government has different programs to make the card available to less-privileged Nigerians who may not be able to pay for the card but need it to access government support.

While noting that the multipurpose cards would launched in a matter of weeks as the sample test cards had been received this week, Iwegbu, said NIMC has also decentralised requesting and collecting the banks to make it easy for Nigerians.
He noted that 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.

Backstory
The NIMC in April this year announced plans to launch a multipurpose National ID card that can serve the purpose of identity verification, payments, and even government services.

The card to be powered by AfriGO, was launched in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS)

Information released by the NIMC reveals that the card will be enabled for all government intervention and services across multiple Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDA).
Among other capabilities and functionalities, it will also be enabled for the eNaira in compliance with the EMV operational and security standards.

Source: https://nairametrics.com/2024/11/22/why-nigerians-have-to-pay-for-the-new-multipurpose-national-id-card-nimc/

Just imagine the number of people who didn't bother to collect their national id cards because it cost them nothing. Since the NIN slip serves as a valid ID, I don't think anyone still needs that plastic national ID card.

So you will punish the nation for your own administrative ineptitude, incompetence and cluelessness? Why is this govt filled with incredibly stupid, irresponsible and wicked people?

Shey the one we get now don expire ni

No wonder banks require BVN and NIN yet terrorists keep kidnapping Nigerians.

Pennilessword1:
My brother,we know wetin dem dey do

Please, find time to read this article about how Nigerians can force NIMC to use our database to make the country more secure. It's not only about them, but about us too. If we are serious about ending insecurity, then, everyone should read and respond to this article. It's not enough to complain.

O

Once money finish for government hand, dem go begin finger every corner to see if water go come out, the economy has made Nigerians they can’t get wet anymore ,

You dey collect tax from us with not much to show. You people can't still give us NIMC card for free

Eti yawere

How is this government complaining of limited revenue after the removal of fuel subsidies and partial electricity subsidies?

It's like this government is wicked.

We don't mind paying. Just make the cards available.

Kuku kill them

Is that why you cocksuckers have been using the NIMC app to frustrate us.

I'm really considering this issue. If NIMC says we have to pay for our ID cards, we need to think it through. Last time, they produced over two million cards that nobody collected. This shows that many Nigerians may not really need them. Instead of giving out free cards that just gather dust, maybe a small fee could ensure that only those who truly need the cards will collect them. But what about those who can't afford to pay? They should have an option too!

By the way, I deal in shared apartments in Lekki. If you're looking to share house rent or need a short let in Lekki or the Lagos Island area, please reach out to me. My WhatsApp number is in my profile bio.

Can you use it to collect money from ATM?

If not make una hol am

It must go round. We must all feel it.

SmartPolician:
Just imagine the number of people who didn't bother to collect their national id cards because it cost them nothing. Since the NIN slip serves as a valid ID, I don't think anyone still needs that plastic national ID card.

They printed no cards I know how many times I personally went for my card. Same story ..you dey

NIN or NIMN ??

NIMC wan turn to revenue generating organisation too? You claim that people do not come to collect, do you even know the stress people go through to make one. You expect them to go through that same stress of collecting it, when they have an alternative?
Mnay times people will go to the office and they say the card is not ready. Your officers are expecting tips from Nigerians jus to hasten up the production of their cards.

So what then happens to the maount budgeted for cards production? Does this inflow stop?

Story as usual

Racoon:
So you will punish the nation for your own administrative ineptitude, incompetence and cluelessness? Why is this govt filled with incredibly stupid, irresponsible and wicked people?

you must be a very wise person, I was almost discouraged reading the first comment on the thread.

Its always nice to know there are still some people who reason well.

It is only to collect money they are efficient at. Few days ago I opened the app, it was not working as usual.

These people want to finish us kpatapata..
God please come to our rescue, I'm really scared not for me alone but the masses who can't afford breakfast at the moment for their house hold. Yet another tax in disguise in play by this wicked administrators.

If You Urgently Need Your NIMC Without Stress, Then You Can Reach Out To Us.

All Within 2 Hours.

UrgentNeeds:
If You Urgently Need Your NIMC Without Stress, Then You Can Reach Out To Us.

All Within 2 Hours.

just imagine !

Lol there's too many broke losers in the comment section complaining about paying for their own stuff.

Racoon:
So you will punish the nation for your own administrative ineptitude, incompetence and cluelessness? Why is this govt filled with incredibly stupid, irresponsible and wicked people?

...Because Responsible And Good Hearted People Are Being Denied The Mandate To Be In Power.

UrgentNeeds:
...Because Responsible And Good Hearted People Are Being Denied The Mandate To Be In Power.

did the leadership of NIMC give condition for express card issuance with agents or 3rd parties?

There was a country!