NIMC to Crack Down on Unauthorized NIN Card Production

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued a strong warning against the unauthorized printing of “NIN cards,” stating that security agencies are authorized to arrest and prosecute those involved. NIMC clarified that the NIN slip remains the only officially recognized identification document. The commission has observed that individuals, cyber cafes, and organizations are producing and selling unauthorized NIN cards at inflated prices, a practice they deem illegal.

NIMC, which previously announced plans for a General Multipurpose Card (GMPC), emphasized that no entity is authorized to print cards in its place. This action violates the NIMC Act no 23, 2007. The commission urged the public and organizations to cease printing these unauthorized cards, stressing that they should not be presented as valid identification. NIMC has alerted security agencies to this illegal activity and instructed them to apprehend those responsible, who will face legal consequences.

NIMC has finalized plans to launch its Improved GMPC, a multifunctional card that will serve as both a physical identification and payment tool. This initiative aims to meet the needs of Nigerians and address various social and economic issues. The card will feature biometric security, extended validity, full KYC enablement, and both offline and online transaction capabilities.

The NIMC card, initially announced in April of the previous year, is powered by the local payment platform AfriGO. While the exact rollout date remains unspecified, NIMC Director-General Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote has detailed the card’s features, highlighting its ability to support multiple government and private sector applications.

NIMC has indicated that the GMPC will not be issued free of charge. Head of Card Management Services, Dr. Peter Iwegbu, explained that limited government funding and the desire to avoid repeating past failures with uncollected free cards necessitate a payment model. He noted that over two million free National ID cards from a previous initiative remain uncollected. However, the government intends to provide access to the card for less privileged Nigerians through targeted programs. NIMC is also collaborating with banks nationwide to facilitate card requests at local branches.