The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced that Nigerians will be required to pay for the newly designed multipurpose national identity card.
Dr. Peter Iwegbu, Head of Card Management Services at NIMC, revealed this development during a two-day roundtable for journalists in Lagos on Friday. He explained that introducing a fee for the ID cards aims to ensure they are issued only to those who genuinely need them, avoiding wasteful production.
“The government’s limited revenue is a key factor in the decision to make Nigerians pay for the new ID card,” Iwegbu stated. He noted that previous efforts to distribute free physical ID cards were unsuccessful, as over two million cards produced in earlier initiatives remain uncollected.
Mr. Lanre Yusuf, Director of Information Technology at NIMC, described the ID card as a “post-paid identity card.” This means individuals must actively initiate the request and pay before receiving the card.
“To obtain the new national ID card, Nigerians will need to make a payment, select a pickup location, and collect their card from the designated place,” Yusuf explained. He also assured that measures have been put in place to support less privileged Nigerians, ensuring access to the card for government-related services.
“This initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to inclusivity and equality,” Yusuf added, emphasizing that programs are being rolled out to subsidize the card for those who cannot afford it but require it to access essential government benefits.
Yusuf announced that the NIMC has partnered with banks across Nigeria to simplify the process. Nigerians will be able to request and collect their cards from any bank branch nationwide.
“NIMC is collaborating with banks, making it possible for individuals to walk into any nearby branch and request the card,” Yusuf said.
The new card, powered by AfriGO, was developed in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS). It will enable seamless identity verification, facilitate payments, and grant access to government services across multiple Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
