National ID Card Is No Longer Free, Nigerians To Pay- NIMC

Nigerians will now pay for the new multipurpose National Identity Card, as part of efforts to generate revenue for government.

Dr. Peter Iwegbu, Head of Card Management Services at National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) announced this during a two-day roundtable with journalists in Lagos.
He explained that this approach aims to avoid repeating past mistakes where physical cards were issued for free, but many were left uncollected.
“The government’s limited revenue is also a major factor in the decision to make Nigerians pay for the new ID card.
“The payment is to ensure that the card is produced for only those who need it.
“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,” Dr. Iwegbu said.
Also contributing, the Director of Information Technology at NIMC, Mr. Lanre Yusuf revealed that the multipurpose ID cards are set to launch soon, with sample test cards already received.
He described the new ID card as a post-paid identity card, emphasizing that individuals must need the card before initiating a request for it.
“The idea of a free national ID card did not turn out well in the past.
“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.
“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 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.
“The new national ID card is a multipurpose card that can serve the purpose of identity verification, payments, and even government services,” he added.