National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) will extend the national identity card enrolment from weekdays to include Saturdays beginning from Jan. 18, 2014 in Abuja and Lagos.
Chris Onyemenam, director general of the Commission, said that the extension would avail the commission the opportunity to register more Nigerians.
He said that NIMC was “in a hurry” to meet the target President Goodluck Jonathan set for it.
“President Goodluck Jonathan has given NIMC the mandate to register all Nigerians and all legal residents from age 16 years and above by Dec. 31, 2014.
“In a bid to meet the presidential mandate, therefore, NIMC has put all necessary measures in place to commence Saturday enrolment for the National Identification Number (NIN) in Abuja and Lagos respectively from Saturday, January 18, 2014.
“This is to avail more Nigerians the opportunity to enrol. We are soliciting the cooperation of all eligible Nigerians and legal residents in the country to make the project successful,” he said.
Onyemenam said that NIMC’s offices would continue to be open to applicants from Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5pm while Saturdays’ enrolment would be from 9am to 4pm.
The Director General said that the commission had set-up a pre-enrolment portal: www.ninenrol.gov.ng where applicants could fill their bio-data online.
According to him, applicants can thereafter visit any NIMC enrolment centre nearest to them with the printed 2D barcode summary sheet for capturing of the fingerprints and the facial photo.
“In addition, applicants will be required to come with any form of identification like international passport, driver’s license, birth certificate, court certified declaration of age, or official work place identity card.
“Former national identity card, INEC voter’s card or signed letter of certification from a traditional ruler carrying the photograph of the applicant will also be accepted for the final enrolment process.
“However, the photograph of the applicant must be on any of the identification documents to enable the final capture of the applicant’s bio data at any of our enrolment centers nationwide,” he said.
He called on all applicants to take advantage of the enrolment centres in Abuja, the states and Local Government Areas to have their information captured in a single national database.
Onyeamenam explained that the new ID card had multiple benefits for the country and its citizens ranging from national security to improved international image.
“With the National Identity Management System, you can keep track of the progress of your Identity Card through the tracking ID.
He quoted the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, as pledging the support of the police to the National Identity Management System, while being enrolled recently.
“The IG particularly noted that this exercise (new ID card) will help in eradicating crime, fraud, and identity theft.
“According to him, it will also make it difficult for criminals to use false multiple or ghost identities, and will enhance the work of the police,” he said.