Human Rights Group Calls on President Tinubu to Halt New National ID Card Plans

The Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA) has urged President Bola Tinubu to cease the plans for the issuance of a new National Identity Card, labeling the proposed exercise as a misuse of Nigerians’ resources and a ploy to siphon public funds.

HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, emphasized the lack of a national strategy governing the issuance of the ID, criticizing the absence of beneficial public policies in the proposed scheme.

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) recently announced its collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System to introduce a new card with multiple functionalities, including for social and financial services.

Questioning the feasibility of the plan, HURIWA highlighted the plight of 133 million impoverished Nigerians, expressing skepticism about their ability to maintain working bank accounts to access the proposed single National ID.

HURIWA condemned the perceived exploitation of public funds, alleging that the scheme would only serve to enrich top leaders and their associates. They called on President Tinubu to halt the project, arguing against subjecting Nigerians to the inconvenience of queuing in banks nationwide to obtain the ID.

Additionally, HURIWA advocated for the adoption of the International Passport as the primary form of identification, citing its widespread accessibility compared to bank accounts.