Nigerians have come to expect certain frustrations to come with getting the federal government to honour obligations to the electorate, and obtaining a valid National ID card is top of that list. From long waiting hours to administrative checks that seem endless, many Nigerians usually find these processes very warring and frustrating.

While there has been some perceived progress in the coalition of database and indexing in Nigeria with the introduction of the Bank Verification Number, BVN, and a few others on both state and federal levels, Nigerians are, however, clamoring for better and calling out the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

It will cost you more than 7years to get your national ID card after registration and they will make one silly mistake expecting you to a huge amount of money just to correct it. pic.twitter.com/o37zmbau1F

— SJ (@HarmonySJO) July 18, 2020

In Nigeria, as highlighted in the NIMC (National Identity Management Commission) Act of 2007, the national identification number (NIN) is mandatory for most transactions in Nigeria. Every citizen and legal resident is expected to enroll and obtain his or hers. Most Nigerians dont have one, and the few that all complain about one thing – the process involved in obtaining one.

It will cost you more than 7years to get your national ID card after registration and they will make one silly mistake expecting you to a huge amount of money just to correct it. pic.twitter.com/o37zmbau1F

— SJ (@HarmonySJO) July 18, 2020

If you have your National Identity Number, I would encourage you to forget the card. You don’t have a BVN card, do you?

— Dr. Joe Abah (@DrJoeAbah) July 17, 2020

Sir, I've lost international programs because I don't have a National ID card… NIN slip works only in Nigeria…

— Emmanuel Mbah (@ecmbah) July 17, 2020

it takes less than 30 minutes to get a customized Mastercard, but it takes years to have National Identity Card in Nigeria. June of this year make it 6yrs that I did mine. @DrJoeAbah please is the NIMC materials needed for national ID cards are flown from future?

— Oliver Benjamin (@Oliverben) July 18, 2020

The attention on the shortcomings of the NIMC came about after a tweet by Nigerian Lawyer, Dr. Joe Abah after he shared that the president has appointed him into the “Steering Committee” to drive digital identification, chaired by the SGF.  Dr. Abah shared that the task of the committee would be to give all Nigerians a digital identity within 5 years.

Mr President has appointed me into the Steering Committee to drive digital identification, chaired by the SGF. Our task is to give all Nigerians a digital identity within 5 years. We will integrate other data that govt holds, like BVN, drivers licence & passports, with NIMC’s NIN

— Dr. Joe Abah (@DrJoeAbah) July 17, 2020

While many appreciated the perceived progress, a few others used the opportunity to share their experiences on obtaining their National IDs  – stressing further the frustration that comes with obtaining many things tied to the government.

Thank God I finally have someone to drag due to the inability to get my National ID for 3yrs now ?

— Okuntade T.F (MNIOB)?? (@BrainnyTope) July 17, 2020

I did registration for national ID in 2013. Queued for 3 days, 12 hours each day until I succeeded. On my date of birth, instead of "15th", they wrote "5th". Guess how much it is to correct it?

15k. How poetic.

Just to put 1 in front of 5. I'd rather run for president than pay.

— Broke Tony Stark (@meo_joule) July 17, 2020

Well, millions of Nigerians are yet to get our National ID card. Applied since 2017
It usually takes 30 minutes to 1 hour to get an Visa or MasterCard debit card, what’s the big deal about National ID card? #NIMC https://t.co/32vQpJDfij

— Emmanuel Ngura (@emmanuel_ngura) July 18, 2020

Some people have BVN card just like some too have National ID card. We all deserve National ID with the huge sum expended. I registered since 2014 but till date no ID card.

— Rotimi Williams (@Rotimi_4law) July 18, 2020

I’ve waited so long for my national id card that I’ve forgotten where I registered. https://t.co/HlqhxOqbCr

— BENJI DTM ✊? (@_iambenji) July 18, 2020

A few others, however, in reaction to Dr. Abah’s tweet pointed out that corruption has always thrived in the NIMC and his update would just be another way for stakeholders to loot more money from Nigerians.

Another way of looting national treasury. I registered for NIMC since 2014 and I haven't received the card till date… I wonder how many decades this one will take https://t.co/BCM69Pfe9p

— Israel Denson (@Israel_Denson) July 18, 2020

As part of the NIMC (National Identity Management Commission) Act of 2007, to document Nigerian citizens and legal residents in the country, it seems that their inabilities which inconvenience interested citizens are also acting as a force to drive the lack of interest on some Nigerians who are even yet to register for the document.