National Identity Cards for Nigerians

President Olusegun Obasanjo has given reasons why his administration revived the National Identity Card Scheme and the benefits derivably from its implementation. According to him, the Identity Card project will assist the nation to identify its citizens and effectively control the influx of illegal immigrants. The scheme will also avail government the data base for planning purposes and will be used for the validation of civil documents such as drivers licences and international passports.

Finally President Obasanjo pointed out that the provision of an identity card for all eligible Nigerians will assist the law enforcement agencies in carrying out their duty, especially in the apprehension and conviction of criminals.

The President noted that though there were agitations from several parts of the country on the propriety of the scheme, the Federal government through adequate consultations and elaborate public enlightenment was able to address all misrepresentations and remove all doubts. He therefore commended all government agencies who were involved in the project particularly the Federal Ministries of Internal Affairs and Information and National Orientation.

President Obasanjo was speaking when he flagged-off the National Identity Card Project in Abuja on Tuesday February 18, 2003. All Nigerians who have attained the age of 18 years and above are eligible to register and be issued with identity card. Sixty Thousand registration centres have been established national-wide for the registration exercise which will last two weeks. The 36 State Governors launched the programme in their respective states.

Nigeria Information Service Centre
Washington, D.C.
February 20, 2003