NIMC set to launch multipurpose national identity card
NIMC to launch multipurpose national identity card early next year
- must be paid for, produce on demand
- paid areas owed FEP by previous administration
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has revealed that arrangements are in top gears to launch multipurpose national identity card into the country early next year, and that it will come at a cost to Nigerians.
The Head of Card Management Services at NIMC, Dr Peter Iwegbu, said this at a two-day roundtable organised for journalists in Lagos.
He said on Friday that the payment was to ensure that it was produced for only those who needed it.
Iwegbu said the decision was made to avoid repeating the mistake of the past efforts to issue physical cards to Nigerians for free, which many did not collect.
Iwegbu said over two million cards were produced in a previous attempt to issue free National ID cards by the NIMC, but many of them had not been collected to date.
“The government’s limited revenue is also a major factor in the decision to make Nigerians pay for the new ID card,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director of Information Technology at NIMC, Mr Lanre Yusuf, said the idea of a free national ID card did not turn out well in the past.
Yusuf described the new ID card as a post-paid identity card, which meant that individuals must need the card before initiating a request for it.
“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 programmes to make the card accessible to the 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,” Yusuf said.
He noted that the multipurpose ID cards were expected to launch soon, with sample test cards already received.
Yusuf added that the NIMC had partnered with banks for Nigerians to request and collect their cards from any bank branch to facilitate a seamless experience.
“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,” he said.
The card, powered by AfriGO, will be launched in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS)
The Director General and CEO of the commission, Engineer Abisoye Coker-Odusote spoke on many notable things the commission has achieved under her leadership was particularly elated the all the money owed the Front End Partners (FEP) of NIMC before she took over has been fully paid.
The development which she believes would make the workforce in this category would be more committed to the course of the organization.
