Nigerians to Pay for New Multipurpose National ID Card, NIMC Announces

 Nigerians to Pay for New Multipurpose National ID Card, NIMC Announces

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has revealed that Nigerians will be required to pay for the new multipurpose national identity card, citing limited government revenue as the main reason for the decision. Dr. Peter Iwegbu, Head of Card Management Services at NIMC, explained that the charge would ensure the card is issued only to those who genuinely need it, avoiding the issues from previous free distribution efforts where millions of cards went uncollected.

Iwegbu also pointed out that the government’s financial constraints played a significant role in the decision. NIMC’s Director of Information Technology, Mr. Lanre Yusuf, emphasized that the new ID card would be a "post-paid" card, meaning individuals must express a genuine need before applying and making the necessary payment.

To support inclusivity, the government has introduced programs to assist less privileged Nigerians who require the card for accessing government services. Yusuf also mentioned that the new card, which can serve as a tool for identity verification, payments, and government services, would soon be available through banks nationwide.