*refutes Leadership newspaper story

*says Nigerians can transfer Card to current state of residence for pickup
*NIN, not the Card is a requirement for identity based transactions  

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) read with deep surprise and disappointment the report published in the Sunday, April 1, 2018 edition of Leadership newspaper, titled “”28.5m Nigerians Agonise Over Suspension Of Nat’l ID Card Issuance.”

We wish to inform the general public that the report, especially the headline, is false and misleading as the Commission has not suspended the issuance of Cards to successful enrolees at any time.

Accordingly, all individuals who, upon completion of their enrolment, have received an SMS are invited to proceed to the NIMC Office where they enrolled to pick up their Cards from April 3rd 2018.

Persons who have not received an SMS can equally check the status of their cards on the NIMC website via www.nimc.gov.ng.

Citizens and legal residents who have also relocated from where they enrolled are advised to visit any NIMC office closest to them to request a card transfer form, which they would fill, and submit to the State Coordinator for processing.

However, Nigerians and Legal Residents are reminded that the National Identification Number (NIN) is the unique identifier and most important token issued by the Commission and not the physical e-ID Card.

The NIN, which is fast gaining acceptance by Nigerians, is a set of 11 non-intelligent numbers randomly assigned to an individual at the completion of enrolment into the National Identity Database (NIDB).

The NIN is used to tie all records about an individual in the database and is verifiable via the NIMC Verification Service (NVS) portal which is made available to institutions and organisations upon request.

Section 27 (1) and (2) of the NIMC Act, 2007, states that transactions including, application for and issuance of an International Passport; opening of individual and/or group bank accounts, all consumer credits; purchase of insurance policies, purchase, transfer and registration of land by any individual; National Health Insurance Scheme, and such transactions that have social security implications, registration of voters, payment of taxes, and pensions, will be done with the NIN.

Thus, all NIMC stakeholders, including the media as well as the general public are enjoined to stop peddling half-truths, or outright falsehood, but rather, work with the Commission to ensure the success of the National Identity Management System for National growth and development.