NIN Cards Are Illegal, Perpetrators To Be Prosecuted – NIMC

NIN Cards Are Illegal, Perpetrators To Be Prosecuted – NIMC

Unsuspecting Nigerians who patronise illegal operators to print out NIN cards would begin to face sanctions soon.

This is as the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has mandated security agencies to arrest and prosecute Nigerians engaged in the printing of what it describes as ‘NIN cards’ ahead of its planned General Multipurpose Card (GMPC).

In a statement released on Monday and signed by its Head of the Corporate Communications Unit, Kayode Adegoke, the Commission reiterated that the NIN slip is the only legally recognised document authorised as a means of identification.

NIMC has observed that “some unscrupulous individuals, cyber cafes, and organisations” are indiscriminately printing unauthorised NIN cards and charging unsuspecting members of the public exorbitant fees.

The Commission, which announced plans to launch its multipurpose card last year, stated that it has not authorised anyone or any organisation to print any card in place of the NIMC General Multi-Purpose Card. This act contravenes the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007.

“To this end, the general public and organisations are advised to cease printing any NIN cards that are not authorised by the NIMC GMPC. The so-called NIN card is not sanctioned by NIMC, and on no account should anyone present it as a means of identification.

“The security agencies have been informed of this nefarious activity and have been mandated to apprehend those involved. Anyone caught will face the full consequences of the law,” NIMC stated.

Although the Commission did not specify a launch date, it confirmed that plans for the improved GMPC have been finalised. The card will be multifunctional, serving as both a physical means of identification and a payment method, designed to meet the needs of Nigerians.

While the government aims to issue the cards to as many Nigerians as possible, NIMC has stated that individuals will need to pay for the card.

According to the Head of Card Management Services at NIMC, Dr. Peter Iwegbu, the government’s limited resources to fund free cards are a factor, as NIMC seeks to avoid repeating past mistakes where free physical cards went unclaimed. He noted that over two million cards produced in previous attempts to issue free National ID cards remain uncollected.

Iwegbu also mentioned that the government has various programmes to ensure that less-privileged Nigerians, who may not be able to afford the card, can still access it to receive government support.

He added that NIMC is collaborating with banks across the country to facilitate the process, allowing individuals to walk into any nearby bank to request the card.