The Nigerian Government has launched a crackdown on individuals and organizations involved in the illegal printing of National Identification Number (NIN) cards, with a stern warning that violators will face legal action.
In a statement issued on Monday, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) expressed concern over the widespread production of fake NIN cards by cyber cafés and other entities, who exploit unsuspecting Nigerians by charging them exorbitant fees for the unauthorized service.
NIMC described this act as a direct violation of the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 and strongly cautioned Nigerians against using or accepting such unauthorized cards as valid forms of identification. “The so-called NIN card is not authorized by NIMC, and under no circumstances should it be presented as a means of identification,” said Adegoke, a representative of NIMC. The agency has also informed security forces, who are now tasked with apprehending those engaged in these illegal activities.
In its statement, NIMC reiterated that the NIN slip remains the only legally recognized proof of identification and must be verified before use. The warning comes as the commission revealed that as of February 28, 2025, 117.3 million Nigerians had enrolled in the NIN database.
To meet the growing demand for a physical identification card, NIMC also announced plans for the launch of an enhanced General Multi-Purpose Card (GMPC). This card will serve dual purposes as both an identity and payment card, powered by AfriGO, a local payment platform.
NIMC first introduced the GMPC concept in April of the previous year, but questions regarding its rollout timeline have persisted. At a recent press conference, the Director-General and CEO of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, shared that the new card aims to address a variety of social and economic challenges by combining identity verification with payment functionalities.
The commission clarified that Nigerians seeking the GMPC will need to pay for it, citing the government’s limited resources and past inefficiencies. NIMC explained that previous attempts to issue free National ID cards led to the production of over two million cards, many of which were never collected. Requiring payment is seen as a measure to ensure that only those who truly need the card request it, thereby reducing waste and improving distribution efficiency.
NIMC’s crackdown and new card initiative underscore its ongoing efforts to streamline the identification process while combating fraud and improving service delivery to Nigerians.
