The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has been unable to produce a large number of identity cards, despite receiving over N80 billion, since its inception. The commission got an initial N30 billion in 2010, and recived a total of N50 billion between 2011 and 2017.
Even more worrisome, is the commission’s lacklustre performance in terms of registering Nigerians. Barely 25% of Nigeria’s over 170 million population have been registered till date.
Why are the cards so difficult to produce ?
One question representatives at the commission have been unable to answer is why are the cards so difficult to produce ? If other agencies of government are able to produce their cards, what stops the NIMC from doing same ? The commission clearly needs to borrow strategies from other MDAs in order to improve its performance.
Government has done its bit
In addition to providing funds, the government has also implemented the necessary polices to encourage Nigerians to register. The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) had recently announced that the National Identity Number (NIN) would become mandatory by the 1st of January 2018 for renewal and application for international passports. The Federal Government has also mandated the commission to harmonize all data bases in the country.
About the NIMC
The NIMC came into the existence as a result of the passage of the NIMC Act of 2007. The ACT provides for the establishment of the NIMC, its functions, powers, establishment of the National Identity Database, assignment and use of General Multi-purpose cards, and the National Identification Number (NIN). The Act also provides the Commission with powers to make regulations connected with its functions. The NIMC Act 2007 provides the repeal of the law that created the former Department of National Civic Registration (DNCR) and the transfer of its assets and liabilities to the NIMC.
