The Federal Government has initiated a crackdown targeting individuals and organizations involved in the unauthorized production of National Identification Number (NIN) cards. The government warned that legal actions will be pursued against offenders.
In a statement released on Monday, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) expressed concerns over the widespread creation of counterfeit NIN cards by cyber cafés and other unauthorized entities. These groups have reportedly charged unsuspecting citizens inflated fees for these illegitimate services.
NIMC highlighted that producing fake NIN cards breaches the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007. The commission urged Nigerians to refrain from using or accepting these unauthorized cards as official identification.
“The so-called NIN card is not authorized by NIMC, and on no account should anyone present it as a means of identification,” Adegoke said. “Security agencies have been notified and mandated to apprehend those engaged in this illegal activity.”
The agency further emphasized that the official NIN slip remains the only recognized and valid proof of identification, adding that verification of this slip is essential before use.
Currently, the NIN database has recorded approximately 117.3 million enrolled Nigerians as of February 28, 2025.
Responding to public interest in physical identity cards, NIMC confirmed plans to introduce an upgraded General Multi-Purpose Card (GMPC). This new card will function as both an identification and payment solution, powered by AfriGO, a domestic payment platform.
Although the GMPC was initially announced in April last year, clarity on its launch timeline had been limited until recently.
During a recent press briefing, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, Director-General and CEO of NIMC, outlined the details of the upcoming GMPC initiative. She explained the card is intended to accommodate diverse applications, serving both governmental and private sector needs.
According to NIMC, this card addresses Nigeria’s socio-economic issues by integrating payment capabilities directly with identity verification.
However, NIMC confirmed that obtaining the GMPC would require payment from interested individuals. This approach is due to resource constraints faced by the government and aims to prevent past distribution inefficiencies.
The agency referenced previous experiences where more than two million National ID cards were produced for free but went largely unclaimed. Charging for the new GMPC is expected to reduce waste and streamline distribution by ensuring only genuinely interested citizens apply.
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