A tweet by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), showing off that Anthony Joshua, a British professional boxer of Nigerian origin, has successfully obtained his national identification number has generated pockets of criticism and fury over the delays and extortion that regular people encounter.
What could have passed as a simple encouragement for unregistered Nigerians to approach the NIMC is raising questions on how the process seems seamless for the sports star but a hassle for other Nigerians.
Many came forward with complaints of enrolling about seven years ago but have no cards to show for it till today.
The ease that accompanied Anthony Joshua’s enrolment has also generated conclusions like it takes an individual to be of important personality or of high net worth to get things done.
“I’ve enrolled for this national ID card since 2014, and I’m yet to be issued a permanent ID card. All I’ve to show for it is the slip. But Anthony Joshua will most definitely get issued a permanent ID card before me. Nigeria is for the highest bidder,” Olamide Obe, @olajideobe tweeted replying to @nimc_ng.
Wale Adetona, under the handle @iSlimfit said: “On the flip side, Anthony Joshua would get his National ID tomorrow. He’s not a common man like you and me. This system is not meant for the common man, it’s meant for the rich and connected. Stop stressing it”.
Almost six years after the national e-identification was launched in partnership with Mastercard, the adoption rate remains at a 10 per cent low, locking up benefits to public services for individuals.
It has become one of the most thriving avenues for fleecing people, hurting Nigeria’s chance of identifying the number of lives that depends on its economy.
About 168 million Nigerians have no form of identity coverage based on World Bank’s Identification for Development 2018 annual report. Contrastingly, China, the world most populated country, more than seven times the size of Nigeria, has 100 per cent of its population identified.
Temitayo Ayetoto
