We are back on the road to a national ID card project, once again. Back in 2003, former president Obasanjo, whose administration initiated the idea, said “the scheme [ID card project] will help government planning and to fight fraud and corruption”. The statement couldn’t have had more ironic implications…the project has proved to be nothing but a cesspool of scam, scandal and sleaze!
The Federal Government of Nigeria will soon commence a new process of National Identity Card registration throughout the country, according to news reports.
The new process is expected to begin in the next six months, adding that under the new system, fresh identity cards would be issued to Nigerians along with the ones currently in circulation.
For some 30 years Nigeria has been grappling—at huge financial costs—to establish a national ID card system. The scandal-riddled project came to crescendo in 2003 when three federal ministers were charged with corruption in connection with a $214m contract with SAGEM, a French firm.
The accused, former Internal Affairs Ministers Sunday Afolabi (late), Mahammed Shatta, and Dr Mohammed Shata former Minister of State in that ministry; former Labor Minister Hussain Akwanga; and former Enugu State governor, Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo, it is interesting this man is now the chairman of the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party.
None of these characters were ever prosecuted; in fact the charges were later dropped. The project went on and was executed haphazardly.
Now, we are back on the road to a national ID card, once again. Back in 2003 at the commencement of the failed project, former president Obasanjo, whose administration initiated the idea, said “the scheme [ID card project] will help government planning and to fight fraud and corruption”. The statement couldn’t have had more ironic implications…the project have proved to be nothing but a cesspool of scam, scandal and sleaze!
A state of apathy like never before appears to have taken hold of the nation. I was hoping to see some reaction to this project on the national level, there have not be any! Nigeria does not need this ID card to for things to be well with us. It’s a waste of time and money.
August 10, 2010 at 9:25 am
I dis agree with that Benson.
Though the amount of money spent on the project can be ridiculous, the benefits of a National ID card cannot be neglected.
But we the gradual implementation of Sim card registration, some of the importance of a National ID card may be down played..
September 8, 2010 at 12:09 am
At Dammy – of what use is an ID card to the average Nigerian given the myriads of other help he needs?
September 10, 2010 at 5:02 pm
pls i thnk this national id is necessary now. our banks is upgrading every account and national id, is one of d reguirment b 4 u fill d form completly. im havin probs now cos i dont have it. i wasnt up 2 d age wen it was done 2003.
January 17, 2011 at 4:40 am
I NEED IT IT VERY IMPORTANT
February 24, 2011 at 12:11 pm
Pls,i need my national id card.i have not collected my own.pls i registered in delta state,in ughelli in a street called Asiegene my state.i am now in port harcourt.i leave in 25 owhipa choba uniport road.pls send it to me give it to any body u see thanks
April 6, 2011 at 10:36 pm
pls i need the id card to open a bank account
May 14, 2011 at 3:14 pm
Please let this should be done fast. God bless Nigeria
August 8, 2011 at 5:04 am
I went to a Local government and i was told that the registration is not yet started. Please i need the National ID Card to identify myself at any where and for my bank account opening. Please let this should be done fast. God bless Nigeria
August 8, 2011 at 5:10 am
I need it very important to open my bank acount
November 7, 2011 at 4:31 am
My National ID Card got lost early Jan 2011, please if the federal government want to arrange for another please let them be fast about it I need it fast. Thanks up Nigeria
November 16, 2011 at 10:08 am
do you need i/d card to get loan from a loan lender in Nigeria or is it fraud
December 4, 2011 at 2:12 pm
I want to recieve an national id card
December 9, 2011 at 9:15 am
I registered a national id card on 5th january 2011, i want to know whether it has come out, please you people should be fast about it
Thanks
December 19, 2011 at 4:56 am
Pls i need a national id urgently cos i want to use it on various registration process.if there is any update e-mail @ my address chinyerechristian6@gmail.com.thank
January 2, 2012 at 12:45 pm