The government has initiated a crackdown on individuals and groups involved in producing unauthorized National Identification Number cards, cautioning that violators will be subject to legal repercussions. The National Identity Management Commission highlighted the issue of fake NIN cards being generated by cyber cafés and others for a fee, emphasizing that the NIN slip remains the sole valid form of identification. The agency emphasized that presenting unauthorized NIN cards is unlawful and urged Nigerians to refrain from using them. Security agencies have been instructed to apprehend those engaging in this illicit activity.
As of February 28, 2025, the NIN database has enrolled 117.3 million Nigerians, with plans underway to introduce an enhanced General Multi-Purpose Card that will combine identity verification and payment capabilities using the local AfriGO platform. The GMPC initiative, initially announced in April, aims to cater to various government and private sector needs. NIMC clarified that individuals interested in obtaining the GMPC will be required to pay for it to streamline the distribution process and prevent inefficiencies seen in previous attempts to issue free National ID cards.
The upcoming GMPC is designed to address social and economic challenges by merging payment features with identity validation. NIMC’s Director-General shared insights on the card’s functionality and expressed the intent to optimize its usability for different sectors. The decision to charge for the GMPC aims to ensure that only genuine applicants acquire the card, ultimately enhancing efficiency and reducing wastage in the distribution process.