By Abidemi Samuel
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The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has revealed that Nigerians will be required to pay for the new multipurpose national identity card. This decision, according to Dr. Peter Iwegbu, Head of Card Management Services at NIMC, is aimed at ensuring that the card is produced only for those who genuinely need it.
Speaking during a two-day roundtable for journalists in Lagos, Dr. Iwegbu explained that the payment system will help avoid a repeat of past mistakes where physical cards were issued for free but many were left uncollected. He noted that over two million cards were produced in the previous attempt to issue free National ID cards, but many of them have not been collected till date.
Dr. Iwegbu further stated that the government’s limited revenue is also a major factor in the decision to make Nigerians pay for the new ID card. This sentiment was echoed by the Director of Information Technology at NIMC, Mr. Lanre Yusuf, who described the new ID card as a post-paid identity card.
To obtain 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 programs to make the card accessible to less privileged Nigerians who cannot afford it but require it to access government support.
The multipurpose ID cards are set to launch soon, with sample test cards already received. 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. The card, powered by AfriGO, was developed in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System.
Key Features of the New National ID Card:
Machine-readable Zone (MRZ): in conformation with ICAO for e-passport information
Identity card Issue Date and document number: in line with ICAO standard
Additional features: travel, health insurance information, microloans, agriculture, food stamps, transport, and energy subsidies, etc.
Nigeria’s quick response code (NQR): containing the national identification number
Biometric authentication: such as fingerprint and pictures, as the primary medium for identity verification through the data on the card chip
Offline capability: that allows transactions in areas with limited network coverage or zero infrastructure connectivity
Functionality as a debit and prepaid card: catering to both banked and unbanked individuals.
The National Identity Management Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the personal data of cardholders, ensuring compliance with international standards on data security protocols.
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