The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) is in the process of gazetting new draft regulations for the registration and acquisition of the National Identity card.
With the new regulation underway, all current National ID cards in possession of Nigerians will become invalid after the expiration of a ‘Transition Period’ which will be announced by the Commission.
NIMC says in the realization of its responsibilities under the National Identity Management Commissions Act, 2007 (“the Act”), and in the effective implementation of its responsibilities and mandate under the Act, it shall ensure the effective enforcement of these Regulations.
The national identity body says it shall announce a Transition Period during which all in possession of the National ID card are expected to re-register in accordance with the new regulations and be issued the new ID card.
“The Commission shall by an announcement on its website, other means of communication or by subsequent Regulations, determine the date on which the Transition Period shall commence and end,” it says.
When the Commission announces the Transition Period, “every Registrable Person who, as at the effective date of this Regulation, is in possession of a valid National Identity Card issued by the defunct Directorate of National Civic Registration (“DNCR”) shall immediately present himself/herself at an Enrolment Centre and be registered in accordance with the provisions of the Act and these Regulations.”
“The National Identity Cards Issued before the commencement of the Act shall remain valid until the expiration of the Transition Period,” says the Commission.
“All National Identity Cards issued by the DNCR shall from the date so determined and announced become invalid and shall not be used for any identification purposes,” NIMC added.
For the purposes of enrolment and registration, the Commission says Registrable Persons shall further be categorized into two:
· Registrable Persons Sixteen (16) years and above who shall be issued with both the National Identification Number (NIN) and General Multipurpose Identity Card (GMPC) upon enrolment.
· Registrable Persons below Sixteen (16) years of age who shall be issued with a NIN only at the time of enrolment but shall, on attainment of the age of Sixteen (16) years, be issued with a GMPC.
The Commission thus calls on all Registrable Person who has attained the age of Sixteen (16) years to present him/herself at the Enrolment Centre closest to him/her for enrolment as soon as the Transition period is announced.
