The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has explained that Nigerians will need to pay for the new multipurpose National Identity card to ensure it’s produced only for those who genuinely need it. Dr. Peter Iwegbu, Head of Card Management Services at NIMC, shared this information during a media workshop in Lagos on Thursday.
Iwegbu noted that the decision, led by Engr. Bisoye Coker-Odusote, aims to avoid the mistakes of previous free distribution attempts, where over two million cards were produced but remained uncollected because many Nigerians didn’t need them.
He explained that the government lacked the funds to produce the cards for free this time, citing limited revenue. Additionally, he emphasized that people must have a genuine need for the card to ensure they will pick it up once produced.
Engr. Lanre Yusuf, Director of IT at NIMC, agreed, pointing out that although the idea of free cards was well-intentioned, it ultimately failed because many people ignored them. The current plan involves a post-paid model, where individuals pay for the card, select their preferred collection point, and are expected to collect it after payment.
Iwegbu also reassured that the government has initiatives to support less-privileged Nigerians who may struggle to pay for the card but need it to access government services. He added that the NIMC has decentralized the process, partnering with banks nationwide, so Nigerians can easily request the card from any nearby bank.
The new multipurpose ID card, set to launch soon, will serve as an identity verification tool, payment card, and access to various government services. It is being developed with AfriGO, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS), and will be compatible with the eNaira.
