NIMC requests N150bn to issue Nigerians ID cards

By Ted Odogwu , Kano

The Kano State Coordinator, National Identity Management Commission, Muhammad Auwalu, on Sunday said the NIMC required N 150 bn to capture all Nigerians in its database.

NIMC logo

According to him , the government only budgeted N 7 bn for the commission for the assignment.

Auwalu , who spoke to reporters at the Sa’ adatu Rimi College of Education in Kano , lamented that only 40 ,000 out of 200 million Nigerians had so far been captured in the national database.

He said the temporary National Identity Card was very important , adding that the identity card number was captured in it.

According to Anwalu , if the Federal Government gives the commission more money , it will capture all Nigerians within three years.

He warned that whoever refused to register for the National Identity Number risked a three -month jail term or N 100 ,000 fine. The NIMC chief said they would soon commence the prosecution of defaulters.

He said, “ The agency will impose three months ’ imprisonment or N 100, 000 fine on any Nigerian arrested without being registered .”

He said the main focus of the commission was to ensure that every Nigerian was registered.

Auwalu said , “ In accordance with the provisions of Section 27 ( 1 ) ( 1 ) of the Commission Act , the use of the National Identity Number should be mandatory .

“ In exercising its power of enforcement and compliance , the commission is empowered by law to demand evidence of compliance , so as to caution a non -compliant person.

“ It also has the power to institute criminal proceedings against a non -compliant person through the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation. ”

He said they had sought the World Bank ’ s assistance to finance the project .