From Victor Osula, Abuja
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says the single multipurpose new national Identity card, powered by AfriGo, will not be issued freely to all Nigerians but those who apply and pay for it.
In April that NIMC in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS), appointed SecureID, a Lagos headquartered company as first Manufacturer of the National Domestic Card Scheme, AfriGo Card.
NIMC had in a statement said the card will address the demand for physical identification, enabling cardholders to prove their identity, access government and private social services, facilitate financial inclusion for disenfranchised Nigerians, empower citizens, as well as encourage increased participation in nation-building.
Making clarification on the card at a two-day roundtable for journalists in Lagos, Dr Peter Iwegbu, Head of Card Management Services at NIMC, said due to limited Government revenue, the card will be produced for only those who need it and pay for it.
“The payment is to ensure that the card is produced for only those who need it.The government’s limited revenue is also a major factor in the decision to make Nigerians pay for the new ID card.
“In the previous attempt to issue free National ID cards, over two million cards were produced, and many of them have not been collected till date.”
On his part, NIMC Director of Information Technology, Lanre Yusuf, who disclosed that the multipurpose ID cards are set to launch soon, with sample test cards already received, however emphasised that the “idea of a free national ID card did not turn out well in the past”.
Yusuf said, “To get the new national ID card, Nigerians will need to make a payment, select a pickup location, and then collect their card from the chosen location.
“The government has implemented programs to make the card accessible to less privileged Nigerians who cannot afford it but require it to access government support. This initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to inclusivity and equality.
“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.
“The new national ID card is a multipurpose card that can serve the purpose of identity verification, payments, and even government services.”
