By Emmnauel Elebeke
NIN- the National Identity Number is free of charge. That is the truth many Nigerians do not know. Why you pay for it is that some criminal elements ambush unsuspecting state and local governments with forged document to seek collaboration and collect money to enroll and issue the NIN, especially to students in primary and secondary schools across the country.
This new criminal antics have subsisted for some time leading to fake enrollment and issuance of fake NINs to unsuspecting Nigerians.
While the agency saddled with the responsibility of enrolling eligible persons, the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC has denied that it charges money to enroll people into the NIN, it has also advised the public to report whoever asked them to bring money for registration at: hadizadagabana@nimc.gov.ng and actu@nimc.gov.ng
It cautioned the general public to be wary of the antics of some of these unscrupulous individuals using its forged document to seek collaboration with state and local governments to collect money to enroll and issue the NIN, especially for students in primary and secondary schools across the country.
Head, Corporate Communications at NIMC, Mr. Kayode Adegoke, said that the Commission maintains zero tolerance for any form of extortion and, as such, enjoined the public to always report any case of extortion. He advised the public to get information on all approved fees for other services from the Commission’s website – www.nimc.gov.ng, at all times.
He said: ‘‘NIMC seeks to notify the public that it is aware of the antics of some unscrupulous individuals using forged documents to seek collaboration with state and local governments to collect money to enroll and issue the NIN, especially for students in primary and secondary schools across the country.
‘‘The National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, wishes to state that its enrolment, verification, and other identification systems are working optimally as the National Identification Number (NIN) becomes mandatory to access all government services’’.
It reassured the general public of the provision of top-notch identification services in line with the Federal Government’s effort at providing a reliable, sustainable, and verifiable foundational identification system for all Nigerians and Legal residents.
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) established by the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, has the mandate to establish, own, operate, maintain and manage the National Identity Database in Nigeria, register persons covered by the Act, assign a Unique National Identification Number (NIN) and issue General Multi-Purpose Cards (GMPC) to those who are citizens of Nigeria as well as others legally residing within the country.
The NIMC Act 2007 provides for the establishment of the NIMC, its functions, powers, establishment of the National Identity Database, assignment of the National Identification Number (NIN) as well as issuance of token General Multi-purpose cards.
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.
Its functions include to Establish the National Identity Management Commission as the primary legal, regulatory and institutional mechanism for implementing Government’s reform initiative (in the identity sector) as contained in the National Policy and NIMC Act, Sections 1, 2, 5 and 6.
Take over the assets and liabilities of the former DNCR which no longer exists, including the personnel in both the State and Local Government Offices nationwide.
Operate and manage the National Identity Management System (NIMS): Carry out the enrolment of citizens and legal residents as provided for in the Act, Create and operate a National Identity Database, Issue Unique National Identification Numbers to qualified citizens and legal residents
Foster the orderly development of an identity sector in Nigeria. Issue a National Identity Smart Card to every registered person 16 years and above, Provide a secure means to access the National Identity Database so that an individual can irrefutably assert his/her identity (Person Identification Verification Services PIVS Infrastructure)
