By Chinenye Anuforo
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has been working tirelessly to enroll millions of Nigerians into the national identity database. However, the costs associated with the enrolment process, particularly the fees charged by private vendors, under the NIMC’s Front-End Partners (FEPs) programme have become a major bottleneck.
Many Nigerians, in rural and urban areas, are unable to afford the fees, which can range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of Naira. This has led to a significant number of potential enrolees being excluded from the project.
A major reason to justify the above position played out recently as Adeyinka Adewusi, a concerned Nigerian citizen, found himself caught in a bureaucratic tangle as he sought to obtain international passports for his three children. A seemingly straightforward process turned into a frustrating ordeal due to the unexpected costs associated with obtaining National Identification Numbers (NINs), a prerequisite for passport issuance.
Adewusi, like many Nigerians, opted to use a private enrollment center, a convenient alternative to the often overcrowded NIMC offices.
However, he was shocked to learn that each child’s NIN registration would cost N2,500, totaling N7,500 for his family and this he paid despite NIMCs claim that the process is free.
Similarly, Emeka Udeaja, a resident of a remote village in Anambra State, described how he was forced to pay N5,000 to a front-end partner to register for his NIN. Due to the significant distance between his home and the local government office where NIMC officials conduct registrations, he had no other option.
“I reluctantly paid, recognizing the necessity of the NIN for accessing banking and other essential services,” he said.
However, this experience contrasts starkly with that of Mr. Chiwuzie Orizu, a 70-year-old man, who told Daily Sun that he could not afford the N5,000 fee. This amount, he explained, was equivalent to two or more days’ worth of food for him. Unable to pay, Mr. Orizu was forced to return home without a NIN.
The consequence of this situation is that Mr. Orizu is now effectively excluded from essential digital services. He cannot use his phone, as he needs his NIN to link his SIM card, and is therefore cut off from a range of services that require digital connectivity. This exclusion is a direct result of the illegal charges imposed by these front-end vendors.
Despite the government’s assertion that NIN registration is free for Nigerian citizens in the country, these hidden fees imposed by private enrolment centers have become a significant barrier to national identity enrolment project.
While the NIMC has made significant strides in enroling millions of Nigerians, the country’s population of over 200 million still remains largely untapped. As of today, only approximately 115 million Nigerians have been registered.
Across Nigeria, citizens report similar experiences of enrolment centers imposing arbitrary fees to capture individuals for the NIN and these experiences highlighted a broader issue plaguing Nigeria’s identity project. However, NIMC maintains that any charge for NIN enrolment within Nigeria is illegal, as the process is entirely free.
Dr. Alvan Ikoku, Deputy Director/Head of Strategy & Program Office at NIMC, emphasized this during a recent training session of journalists for the Media Foundation West Africa (MFWA) Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) fellowship in conjunction with Co-Creation in Abuja. He clarified that vendors are paid for each successful enrolment and should not charge citizens.
“NIN enrolment in Nigeria is free. If you or anyone you know is charged, please report it to us. We are actively seeking individuals to set an example,” Ikoku stated.
He further explained that additional payments are made for vendors who enroll individuals in remote areas to compensate for the increased challenges.
Ikoku noted that charges are only applicable for diaspora enrolments and are subject to fixed rates.
However, some of the vendors who spoke to Daily Sun argued that NIMC’s zero-fee policy for the NIN registration is unrealistic given various operational costs.
One vendor, who requested anonymity, questioned how NIMC could claim the NIN registration is free when the Commission only recently began paying its front-end partners after many outstanding payments.
“This isn’t feasible,” the vendor said. “We invest in machines, maintain them, and run daily operations. We have staff to pay, fuel to buy, and we’re all affected by inflation. The minimal fees we charge are necessary to sustain our business until NIMC’s payments arrive. Without these payments, our charges would have been significantly higher.”
Another vendor, who is not a direct NIMC partner but works under NIMC’s licensed partner, corroborated this. He explained that he received machines from the partner and is responsible for their costs.
“Small charges are necessary to keep our operations running. Many people rely on this work for their livelihood,” the vendor told Daily Sun. “I don’t understand why this is causing issues, but I hope it doesn’t jeopardize our jobs.”
Meanwhile, reacting to the claim of owing/delayed payment of the vendors, NIMC disclosed that it has settled all outstanding payments owed to FEPs for enrollment services provided between 2022 and 2024.
According to Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC in a statement recently, the payments were made for all successful enrollments that resulted in the generation of NINs.
The statement highlighted that the current administration, led by Coker-Odusote, inherited this issue. The FEPs were contracted in 2021 by the previous administration through the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy to accelerate NIN enrollment. However, these vendors were only paid for one year of enrolment activities.
NIMC emphasized that the FEP-led NIN enrolment between 2021 and 2024 was a temporary measure approved by the previous Minister to boost enrolment efforts, pending the commencement of the World Bank/ID4D project.
Experts on their own part, also attributed the slow progress of Nigeria’s identity project to various factors, including inadequate infrastructure, limited public awareness, and, significantly, the additional costs imposed by private enrolment centers. “These fees, often charged under the guise of administrative or service charges, deter many Nigerians, particularly those in rural areas and low-income communities, from seeking NIN registration.”
They argued that government’s failure to effectively regulate these private enrolment centers and ensure adherence to the free registration policy has undermined the national identity project. As a result, millions of Nigerians remain excluded from the digital economy and essential government services.
Specifically, the executive director, Paradigm Initiative (PIN), Gbenga Sesan, said the right to enforce these regulations lies with NIMC. “Their lack of action makes them the real issue here. NIMC needs to actively monitor these vendors and ensure compliance.
“This illegal activity thrives on impunity. These vendors exploit the situation knowing that NIMC will likely not intervene. This inaction also hinders NIMC’s core mandate – to safeguard the data of Nigerian citizens and ensure accessible registration for all. If citizens are forced to pay exorbitant fees like N2,500, some may be deterred from registering due to financial constraints”, he said.
To address these challenges, Sesan suggested citizens refused the payment of the illegal charges. “If charged a fee, citizens should refuse to pay and report the vendor to NIMC. This will help build a record of non-compliance.
Currently, NIMC may claim a lack of reported incidents to justify inaction. However, it’s crucial to understand that the power to enforce these regulations ultimately rests with NIMC”, he said.
He maintained that the current system for NIN registration is flawed because NIMC’s inaction which allows exploitation and creates a burden for Nigerian citizens. “Only through stricter enforcement and a well-functioning compensation system can this issue be resolved,” the PIN executive director stated.
Also, Jide Awe, founder/CEO Jidaw Systems Limited, said that government must implement stringent measures to prevent private enrollment centers from imposing illegal fees and also increase the number of government-run enrollment centers, especially in rural areas, to enhance accessibility.
Awe also pointed out that, there shall be an intensified public awareness campaigns to inform the public about the importance of NIN registration and the government’s free enrolment policy while also utilizing digital platforms and mobile technologies to streamline the registration process and reduce reliance on physical centers.
He said: “By implementing these strategies, the government can expedite the national identity project, ensuring that all Nigerians benefit from its advantages and contribute to the nation’s development.”
*This report is produced under the DPI Africa Journalism Fellowship Programme of the Media Foundation for West Africa and Co-Develop