-Uchechukwu Okoroafor, Abuja
In a country facing myriad challenges with limited resources, the recent announcement by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) regarding the launch of a new national identity card with payment functionality raises serious concerns about the allocation of public funds and the priorities of our government.
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This ambitious project, developed in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System, appears to be a wasteful endeavor that offers little real benefit to the average Nigerian citizen.
On the surface, the idea of a multifunctional national identity card seems promising. It suggests a streamlined approach to identification and financial services, potentially enhancing access to government intervention programs and financial inclusion. However, a deeper examination reveals significant flaws and echoes of past failures in similar initiatives.
Let us first consider the history of national identification projects in Nigeria. Back in 2006, the federal government entrusted a national ID project to Chams, a local company. This venture, marred by allegations of collusion and technical sabotage, resulted in the squandering of over $100 million. Given this troubled history, one must question the likelihood of success for the current project.
Furthermore, the rationale behind this new card—to facilitate access to government programs and financial services—rings hollow when juxtaposed with the everyday struggles of Nigerians attempting to link their National Identification Numbers (NIN) with mobile phone numbers or bank accounts. The chaos and inefficiency observed during these exercises serve as stark reminders of the government’s limitations in implementing large-scale identity management systems.
Moreover, Nigeria already boasts a plethora of identification documents, including passports, driver’s licenses, voter cards, and the existing national ID card. This redundancy not only confuses citizens but also raises serious doubts about the government’s capacity to harmonize and coordinate these various platforms effectively.
Rather than addressing these underlying issues, the introduction of yet another identity card appears to be a misguided attempt to reinvent the wheel. In a nation where resources are scarce and pressing needs abound—from healthcare and education to security and infrastructure—the decision to allocate billions towards this new card project is perplexing and troubling.
The assertion that the new card will enhance access to government programs for the financially excluded raises concerns about further bureaucratic hurdles for vulnerable Nigerians. Instead of introducing a new identification system, the government should focus on refining and strengthening existing social welfare initiatives to ensure efficiency and accessibility.
Furthermore, the scale of this project, aimed at providing the new card to approximately 104 million citizens, is alarming, especially without a clear and comprehensive implementation plan. Such a massive undertaking, if mismanaged, could lead to delays, logistical nightmares, and a significant waste of public funds. Ultimately, the launch of this new national identity card with payment
functionality reflects a pattern of grand, top-down initiatives that fail to address Nigeria’s fundamental challenges. Instead of pursuing this questionable venture, the government should concentrate on enhancing existing identification systems, improving inter-agency coordination, and investing in initiatives that directly uplift the lives of Nigerians.
As a nation, we must resist the allure of flashy projects that promise quick fixes to complex problems. True progress demands a nuanced, evidence-based approach that acknowledges the unique needs of our diverse communities. It is time for the government to abandon this ill-conceived identity card scheme and redirect its efforts towards sustainable initiatives that genuinely benefit our citizens.
Nigeria cannot afford to squander precious resources on projects of dubious value. Let us prioritize investments that address our most pressing challenges and empower our people to thrive in a nation where progress is measured by tangible improvements in their quality of life.