NIMC warns against illegal printing of NIN cards, orders crackdown

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has raised concerns over the unauthorized printing of National Identification Number (NIN) cards by individuals, cyber cafés, and private organizations across the country.

In a statement released on Monday, Dr Kayode Adegoke, NIMC’s Head of Corporate Communications, warned Nigerians against patronizing such unauthorized services, emphasizing that only the official NIMC General Multi-Purpose Card (GMPC) is legally recognized.

“The Commission has not authorized any individual or organization to print any NIN card as a replacement for the official NIMC General Multi-Purpose Card. This act is illegal and punishable under the law,” Adegoke stated.

To track down and prosecute those engaging in illegal activity, the NIMC has taken steps to curb the proliferation of fake NIN cards by involving security agencies “Anyone caught printing, selling, or issuing fake NIN cards will be made to face the full wrath of the law,” Adegoke warned, adding that security agencies had been directed to enforce strict measures against offenders.

The commission also reminded the public that only the official NIN slip issued by NIMC is valid for identification purposes.

“The so-called NIN card being printed by some cyber cafés and individuals is not authorized by NIMC. On no account should it be presented as a means of identification,” the statement reiterated.

NIMC to Introduce New Multi-Purpose Identity Card

As part of efforts to provide a legally recognized physical identification document, NIMC disclosed that it is finalizing plans to introduce an enhanced General Multi-Purpose Card (GMPC).

According to the commission, the new card programme is centred on solving several use cases of federal government and private sector interventions as well as focused on solving social and economic problems in the nation, with payment capabilities and identity as a root.

Speaking about the new card recently, the commission’s Director General and Chief Executive Officer Dr Abisoye Coker-Odusote mentioned that:

“The key features of this card, are the biometric, based on the fingerprint, which is the only one that is currently unique; the card has a long validity period because it’s also fully KYC enabled; it has an offline and online capability, which means in locations where there are limited access to internet, this card will still work and be used for those services that it’s designed to achieve.”

Emphasising the digital aspect of the card, she noted that “you can meet out cash, digital tokens, wallet, and email and it also has some banking details inside the chip that enables the holder to perform every other thing that can be done with ENV-enabled card. On the back, the card provides additional functionalities which enable Nigerians and those who are going to have access to it to be able to prove their identity at any point in time they are called to do that.”

She explained that this second programme of cards identified as the Government of People card, G2P, supports the current demand from the government and its bodies, and even non-government entities, to have a means by which they recognize those providing the respective services within an extremely secured and verifiable process.

On issuance cost, she assured that the card will be issued to Nigerians at affordable cost, pointing out that the new biometric card is designed to take 133 million Nigerians out of poverty and provide smooth services.

To combat fraudulent practices, NIMC has urged Nigerians to report any unauthorized printing of NIN cards through its official communication channels.

NIMC reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s national identity system, urging all citizens to comply with the law and refrain from engaging with unauthorized identity providers.