The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced that Nigerians will need to pay for the new multipurpose national identity cards, citing limited government revenue and the need for efficiency in distribution.
Dr. Peter Iwegbu, Head of Card Management Services at NIMC, disclosed this during a two-day roundtable for journalists in Lagos. He explained, “The payment is to ensure that the card is produced for only those who need it.”
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Iwegbu highlighted inefficiencies in past efforts to issue free national ID cards. “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,” he said.
He further noted that the decision was influenced by the government’s financial constraints. “The government’s limited revenue is also a major factor in the decision to make Nigerians pay for the new ID card,” he added.
The Director of Information Technology at NIMC, Mr. Lanre Yusuf, elaborated on the process, describing the new initiative as a “post-paid identity card.” He said, “The idea of a free national ID card did not turn out well in the past. Individuals must need the card before initiating a request for it.”
To obtain the card, Nigerians will be required to pay, select a preferred pickup location, and collect their card upon production. Yusuf emphasized that steps have been taken to ensure accessibility for vulnerable groups: “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 multipurpose card, developed in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), offers identity verification, payment options, and access to government services. It is powered by AfriGO, a homegrown technology platform.
Yusuf revealed that sample test cards have been received and that NIMC is working with banks to facilitate distribution. “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,” he said.
