FG Cracks Down on Illegal NIN Card Printing

• According to NIMC, over two million cards were produced in the past but were left unclaimed, leading to significant waste.
• Reaffirming the NIN slip as the only valid proof of identification, the NIMC urges citizens to verify its authenticity before use.
• The agency expressed concern over the exploitation of unsuspecting Nigerians by cyber cafés and other entities that charge excessive fees for these illegal services

In response to the rampant production and distribution of fake National Identification Number (NIN) cards, the Federal Government has initiated a crackdown on individuals and organizations involved in unauthorized printing.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) issued a statement on Monday, warning that offenders would face legal action for violating the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007.

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The agency expressed concern over the exploitation of unsuspecting Nigerians by cyber cafés and other entities that charge excessive fees for these illegal services

Head, Corporate Communications Unit, Kayode Adegoke said “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.”

Reaffirming the NIN slip as the only valid proof of identification, the NIMC urges citizens to verify its authenticity before use.

This announcement comes as NIMC reports that the NIN database has reached a milestone of 117.3 million enrolled Nigerians as of February 28, 2025.

Responding to public demand for a physical identification card, NIMC has finalized plans to introduce an upgraded General Multi-Purpose Card (GMPC).

Powered by the local payment platform AfriGO, the GMPC will function as both an identity and payment card. Although the GMPC was initially announced in April of last year, the timeline for its rollout had been uncertain until now.

NIMC’s Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, recently shared details about the card program at a press conference.

The GMPC is designed to support various federal government and private sector initiatives, with a focus on addressing social and economic challenges by integrating payment features with identity verification.

The commission announced that Nigerians who wish to obtain the new GMPC will be required to pay a fee.

This decision was made in light of the government’s limited resources and to avoid the inefficiencies experienced during previous attempts to provide free National ID cards.

According to NIMC, over two million cards were produced in the past but were left unclaimed, leading to significant waste.

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By charging a fee for the GMPC, NIMC aims to ensure that only those genuinely in need of the card will request it, thereby improving the efficiency of the distribution process and minimizing wastage.

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