the nigerian national policy identity · pdf filethe nigerian economy and enhance the concept...

NIMC,, providing assured identity

The PresidencyNational Identity Management Commission11, Sokode Crescent, Off Dalaba Street Zone 5 Wuse

P.M.B. 18, Garki, Abuja Nigeria.

POLICY POLICY The Nigerian National

IDENTITY CARD

D O C U M E N T

Document Version

Date

Review/Changes

st1 Draft 0.1 06 June 2011

2 nd

draft

0.2

20, June, 2011 Added message from CEO

3 rd draft

0.3 1

16 , Sept. 2011

4 th draft

0 .311,

0.312

10 November 2011

0.4

Updated the card design,added description of securityfeatures, expanded on NIN, added input from CEO,changed document structure

Applied changes based on Dr. Salako’s review; numberingand formatting updated

5 th draft

0.3.13

Applied changes based on CEO review; based on 0.31;numbering, formatting and reworking

6 th draft

23 December2011

Reviewed the content and format of presentation of the security featuresproposed for the

7 th

draft 0.41 17th February Subject matter expert; Todd Carper’s review and changes

8 th

draft 0.42 22nd March Review of Todd’s contribution

Reviewer/changer

Chris Onyemenam

Mfon Udoh

Dr. Salako / Bami

Akinlade

Mfon Udoh

Chris Onyemenam

Mfon Udoh

Chris Onyemenam

C O N T R O L

NATIONAL IDENTITY MANAGEMENT COMMISSION

NATIONAL IDENTITY CARD POLICY

i



ii

PREFACE

iii

1.

INTRODUCTION

2

2.

PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT

2

3.

DESCRIPTION OF NIGERIAN NATIONAL IDENTITY CARD (NNIC)

3

THE NATIONAL IDENTITY CARD

4

3.3.

Card Features 4

3.4.

The security features

4

3.5.

Information on card

6

3.6.

Sample of The National Identity Card

8

3.7.

Ownership of Card

8

3.8.

Validity and Expiration

8

3.9.

Charges and Payment for the National ID Card

9

4.

USAGE OF THE NATIONAL IDENTITY CARD

9

4.1.

Identification

9

4.2.

Payment

10

4.3.

Other Government and Social services

11

5.

GOVERNING LAW AND REGULATIONS

11

5.1.

The NIMC Act 2007 No. 23

11

5.2.

Eligibility for Possession of the National Identity Card

12

5.3.

Your Obligations under the Law

12

6.

APPLICATION FOR CARD

AND CARD ISSUANCE

13

7.

USE OF YOUR CARD

14

7.1.

General Use by Self

14

7.2.

Mandatory Use of the National Identification Number (NIN)

15

7.3. Use of Personal Information in the National Identity Database 16

7.4. Card Misuse and Grounds for Cancellation 17

7.5. Safeguarding your National ID Card 177.6. Loss of Card 18

7.7. Your Card and Protection of Individual Privacy 19

7.8. Limitations And Restrictions 20

8. COMPLAINTS 20

9. GENERAL ISSUES 2110 APPENDICE 22

GLOSSARY 1

DOCUMENT CONTROL i

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S



i i i

P R E F A C EIn 2005 Government set up a Harmonization Committee to advise it on how best to harmonize various identification schemes and the plethora of Identity Cards being issued both by public and private sector institutions in Nigeria.

The Committee recommended the adoption of a multipurpose Card which would help manage several applications that are all dependent on the same individual's identity being first affirmed. It is this concept of a Universal Identification Infrastructure that has led to the implementation of a National Identity Management System (NIMS) which has five components: the National Identity Database or Central Identity Repository, the National Identification Number (NIN), the Identification Card or token, the verification and authentication infrastructure and the harmonization and integration of the existing database.

Accordingly this Card Policy focuses on the National Identity Card to be issued as a component of the NIMS. It sets out the legal framework, the conditions for its issuance, features, use and replacement. It also sets out the basis for ensuring the sustainable use of the infrastructure supporting the card, its multi-functionality, applications and systemic integration with other card issuing systems with a view to eliminating or reducing the number of cards in issue in the Nigerian economy and enhance the concept of shared services infrastructure. Therefore, the provisions of the Card policy should be read in conjunction with the NIMC Act, in particular, the specific provisions on each aspect of the General Multipurpose Card (GMPC). The Policy is also designed to further indigenize the card sector and foster the development of a wholly indigenous identity management sector in Nigeria.

The immense contribution of the members of the Card Policy Committee is gratefully acknowledged.

G L O S S A R Y CAD Card Acceptance DeviceNNIC Nigerian National Identity CardNIMC National Identity Management Commission ICAO International Civil Aviation OrganizationMRZ Machine Readable ZoneFEP Front End PartnerNID National Identity DatabaseNIM National Identity ManagementNIMS National Identity Management SystemNIN National Identification NumberGMPC General Multipurpose Card“The Commission” The National Identity Management

Commission



1


1. INTRODUCTION

2. PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT

The National Identity Card Policy is designed to provide information on the objectives, legal framework, rules, guidelines and principles which form the Card System adopted for the National Identity Management System (NIMS). It includes the features of the National Identity Card, how the card may be obtained and or issued to an individual, how the card may be used, conditions under which it will be replaced and or withdrawn, usage parameters, operating context, wrong/inappropriate usage, and citizen's rights. It is important for all card recipients to understand the guidelines provided in this policy document.

In view of the fact that the National Identity Card is part of the President's programme of transformation based on the E-Government platform (defined as the use of digital technologies to transform government operations in order to improve effectiveness, efficiency and service delivery in government), it is important to clearly document the governing policy.

This document provides in a codified and simplified manner, information on the framework governing eligibility, application for the National Identity Card, issuance and usage of the National ID Card by the cardholder. It also provides references against which any card that purports to be a Nigerian National Identity Card may be measured. Care has been taken to ensure that in highlighting some of the parameters for ascertaining whether a card is a National ID Card, the integrity and security of the National ID Card is not compromised. This document is for information and enlightenment on the Card policy purposes only.

In view of the diversity in policies and objectives of different countries on their national identity card schemes, and given the Nigerian experience, Government, through the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has adopted a harmonized approach towards implanting a system of


2

national identity management with a clear ID Card policy as enunciated in this document.

According to Privacy International, as of 1996, possession of identity cards which must be acquired when a person reaches a prescribed age was compulsory in about 100 countries, though what constitutes "compulsory" varies. The penalty for non-possession is usually a fine, but in some cases it may result in detention until identity is established. On the other hand, quite a number of countries, especially in Europe, have voluntary identity card schemes. In other countries, identity documents of different types and functionalities are issued to achieve varying objectives and requirements.

In some countries the possession of a National Identity Card is compulsory while in others it may be voluntary. In Nigeria, it is compulsory to register for and be issued a National Identification Number and a National ID Card especially if you are aged sixteen (16) years and above.

The Nigerian National Identity Card (NNIC) is a microprocessor chip based general multi-purpose card (GMPC) designed to handle multiple applications including identity verification and authentication and payment functionalities. All citizens 16 years and older as well as all legal (alien) residents who have been in the country for two (2) years who have been registered and issued a National Identification Number (NIN) are required to obtain a Nigerian National Identity Card. The Card is the property of the Federal Government of Nigeria and may be withdrawn and issuance to an individual withheld in accordance with the stipulated regulations and applicable law.

The NNIC is a physical token, a symbol representing the universal identification infrastructure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, issued on the basis of the National

3. DESCRIPTION OF NIGERIAN NATIONAL IDENTITY CARD (NNIC)



3


Identity Database and a unique National Identification Number (NIN).

The National identity card is a specially designed card manufactured specifically for Nigeria. It has an array of features which mark it out as a truly Nigerian National Identity Card. The features and the overall design concept, including the various visible and hidden security features to safeguard against fraud and improper use, conform to the relevant international standards on card design and security. The card has both physical and electronic security features which were specially chosen to meet the extra demand for durability and security based on our local experience as a people.

The Card has a machine-readable zone (MRZ). It therefore qualifies as and can be used for travel and other relevant applications. In this context, the Card has already taken into account future plans (including the proposed ECOWAS adoption of national identity cards as travel documents) of using the Card for other purposes.

Though some of the features of the card are visible to the naked eye, many more are not. These other features can only be seen or read with appropriate instruments. The reason for this is obvious, the several special features are intended to enhance its integrity by making it difficult and expensive if not impossible to forge, duplicate, fake or imitate it.

The objective of the regime of security features for the Nigeria National identity Card is to make it difficult if not impossible for it to be obtained and or used wrongly or fraudulently. An identity Card can be obtained and or used wrongly or fraudulently if it is easy to fraudulently obtain it,

THE NATIONAL IDENTITY CARD

3.3. Card Features

3.4. The Security Features


4

can be easily falsified, counterfeited, personalized, or the materials used in making it can be fraudulently obtained and used to easily produce genuine documents.

The security features selected for the design of the National identity card involves a combination of methods, processes, materials and technologies to make it difficult to copy, use and or obtain wrongly and include:

a. Those features that will be visible to the eyes, including physical features that can be felt and or observed by the human hands;

b. The features that can be seen only with the aid of some special equipment or procedure;

c. Those security features that will be on the chip on the card based on a set of preselected software and encryption technologies to support the use of the card for multiple applications and a certification authority system

Some of the security features will be put on the Card body as part of the pre-printed features while others will be put as part of the personalization process. The most important security features will come with the chip. The security features on the card body will include:

a) Guilloche/Fine line Designb) Rainbow Printingc) Laser printing and engraving;d) Optical Variable Ink (OVI™);e) UV printing;f) Microtext;g) IRIS printing; h) Card holder's portrait;i) Card holder's signature;j) Microchip containing owner's preselected data; andk) Other security features which are not required to be

disclosed in this document

The policy on the card design including the chip design is to



5


ensure very limited use of proprietary technology or features so that the Commission is not unnecessarily constrained in the exercise of its discretion on the source of the card material, security features, source of supply and or manufacture, simplify the card personalization process and ensure smooth and effective general card management.

The Card will also have its security features matched against the range of Card Acceptance Devices to be approved by the NIMC (in terms of the secure access module).

All security features will be high-end, both on the surface and in the chip and will conform to the relevant ISO, ICAO and IEEE standards especially with respect to interfaces, durability, functionality and applications.

Part of the security arrangement for the NNIC includes the number and type of information that is contained in the chip as well as on the face and back of the card. The card design has been carefully undertaken including the selection of the security features.

The NNIC will contain key information that will be utilized to meet the functions that the card is expected to perform, that is, adequate information on the face of it and in the chip to enable satisfactory confirmation of the identity of the card holder and for enabling payment (See section 4 above).

It is understood that because the card will be used by a number of government and non-government systems within the country, and in compliance with standard, best global practice the card will contain information detailed in sections 6.3 and 6.4.

3.5.1. Front of card The front of the card has the following information; card issuance number, surname, first Name, middle name, date of birth, gender, nationality, card holder's portrait, ghost

3.5. Information on card


6

image of card holder's portrait, expiry date; card holder's signature and a payment platform number.

3.5.2. Back of card The back of the card has the following information; Machine Readable Zone (MRZ), card personalization platform and a Magnetic strip and signature.

3.5.3. The Chip The chip will contain an e-id, a match-on-card, payment solution and the capability to contain solutions for other government services as may be determined under the harmonization and integration mandate of the NIMC.

Using the e-id applet the chip will store the following personal data; NIN, surname, first name, middle name, gender, date of birth, card expiry date, state of origin, nationality, finger prints, head shot photograph.

3.5.4. National Identification Number (NIN)The NIN is one of the most import elements of information on the Card and is contained in the chip. Section 14 (2) of the NIMC Act provides for any person in respect of whom an entry is made in the National Identity Database (NIDB) to be identified using unique and unambiguous features including the biometrics. The NIN is assigned to an individual having been uniquely identified. The NIN is an eleven (11) digit number assigned to a registered person through which the individual will be identified for life. Once issued to an individual, the same number will never be reassigned even after the person to whom it was assigned is dead.



7


3.6 Sample of the National Identity Card

3.7 Ownership of Card

3.8 Validity and Expiration

The National ID card is depicted as below:

The National ID card remains the property of the Nigerian Government. Any attempt to alter the information contained on the card in whatever way or form or to use the ID card in an unauthorized manner is a punishable offence.

When lost or misplaced, the cardholder should immediately notify the nearest NIMC office or Contact Centre. Any Card that is found should be handed in to the nearest NIMC office.

For Nigerians, the ID card is valid for 10 years. It may be deactivated immediately when it expires.

For foreigners, the ID Cards will be valid for as long as their residence status qualifies or for 5 years, whichever is shorter.

The ID cards must be up to date, legible and free from stickers or any other form of defacement. Any defacement renders the card illegal for any use.

The National ID Card is issued to a specific person and is not


8

National Identity Card

transferable. It has post issuance capability so that other required and or approved solutions can be added to it.

Any update of information requiring the issuance of another ID Card will be determined at the point of acceptance of the update information and immediately done by the NIMC.

NIMC will provide all Nigerians with an ID card free of charge in the first instance.

NIMC will provide all eligible Non-Nigerians with an ID card at a nominal cost per issued period.

Replacement of an ID card will attract a surcharge.

All payments for ID cards will be via a dedicated bank account only.

Cash, cheques and any other form or mode of payment, including electronic transfer payment will not be accepted.

Payment is non-refundable, whether or not the application is successful.

The national identity card is a multi-function card designed to enable citizens and legal resident to prove their identity in Nigeria. Therefore it is required that all eligible cardholders produce their National ID Card on demand by any law enforcement agent.

Furthermore, the possession of the National ID card by every citizen and legal resident will also serve to:

a. Facilitate the effective and efficient delivery of

3.9 Charges and Payment for the National ID Card

4.1 Identification

4. USAGE OF THE NATIONAL IDENTITY CARD



9


government services and access to social amenities and benefits under the E-Government platform;

b. Enhance the work of law enforcement and other security agencies in the maintenance of law and order and protection of national security.

c. Provide a means of identification (online/offline) in embassies, banks, credit bureau, at higher institution, for professional examinations, at airports, seaports, issuance of other security documents, hospitals and for government related transactions.

There are three main ways in which the card can be used for identity;

a. Visual inspectionThe card is given at a point of service. The service provider can check that the card is valid in the first place and then confirms the card belongs to the bearer by visual inspection of the photo and biodata.

b. Match on cardThe card is provided at a point of service. The card is inserted into a card reader/acceptance device (CAD) the individual places his or her finger on the biometric reader and the device checks that the biometrics in the chip of the card matches the sample individual biometric provided by the individual at the point of service.

c. Real-time database checkThe card is provided at a point of service. The card is inserted into the card reader/acceptance device (CAD) the individual's information on the card is then used to identify the individual's record in the NID and to provide information on the individual that is not in the chip of card.

The National Identity Card will be used to promote economic activities through the facilitation of consumer and

4.2 Payment


10

other financial transactions such as:

a. Online payment for services, utility bills, insurance, taxes, government/law enforcement fines etc;

b. Secure cash withdrawal on Automated Teller Machines (ATMs);

c. Secure transactions on Point Of Sale (POS) machines; and

d. Facilitate 'Know Your Customer' (KYC), financial and banking transactions, including credit bureau and consumer credit businesses; and

e. Facilitate efforts at achieving financial inclusion in the Nigerian economy.

The multi-functional nature of the NNIC means that other services can be safely incorporated into it. The result is that citizens will be required to carry fewer cards while at the same time having easier access to a wide range of services. These include, in particular, obtaining of drivers' license, opening of bank accounts, obtaining an International passport, dealing in land transactions and other such transactions requiring identity verification especially as provided for in Section 27 of the NIMC Act.

The National Identity Management Commission Act in Section 1 provides for the establishment of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). The NIMC is empowered by the NIMC Act in Section 16 to register persons eligible for registration; in Section 18, it is empowered to issue Multipurpose Identity Cards and in Section 19 to assign the General Multipurpose Cards, that is, the NNIC. In specific terms therefore, the NIMC will be responsible for:

a) Set up, operation and management of the National

4.3 Other Government and Social Services

5.1 The NIMC Act 2007 No. 23

5. GOVERNING LAW AND REGULATIONS



11


Database (Section 5, 14);b) Harmonization and integration of all existing

identification schemes (Section 5);c) Registration of all citizens and legal residents and

assignment of a unique National Identification Number (NIN) to each registered person;

d) Issuance of General Multipurpose Identity Card (GMPC (Section 18));

e) The provision of identity verification and authentication services and other related matters.

Only duly registered persons can expect to be issued an NNIC since successful registration is a condition precedent. Eligibility for the possession of a National Identity Card is therefore based first and foremost on the fact that an individual is eligible to be registered.

Eligibility for registration is provided for in Section 16 of the NIMC Act (registrable persons) and it states that only those who are 16 years and above can be registered. It also provides for the registration of all legal residents.

In Section 5(o), the NIMC is also empowered to carry out registration of births and deaths. Accordingly the NIMC will collaborate with the National Population Commission to obtain and document births so as to ensure full registration and proper issuance of NNIC to qualifying citizens and also use the record of deaths to update active and inactive NNICs. .

The NIMC will provide the NNIC free of charge to all citizens. However legal residents, who are eligible, would have to pay a nominal fee for their Card.

It is recommended that the card be carried at all times by the cardholders; it would enable a card holder easily assert his/her identity.

5.2 Eligibility for Possession of the National Identity Card


12

For the avoidance of doubt, it is restated here that an individual becomes entitled to an ID card from the day he/she turns 16 years old. Foreigners become entitled immediately when their age and residence status qualifies them. However, a person at birth is automatically entitled for enrolment to obtain his/her unique National Identification Number (NIN) and subsequently is qualified to be issued a NNIC at the age of 16.

The ID card is issued to an individual after successful enrolment in the NIN system and assignment of a NIN.

It is a criminal offence to:

a. Refuse to provide relevant information as required from you by the Act to the Commission;

b. While giving information, to knowingly or recklessly make a statement or provide information to the commission or any of its partners which is false in any material particular;

You are obliged to notify the Commission immediately you become aware of:

a. Any changes affecting the information recorded on you in the NID;

b. Any error you notice on the information recorded on you in the NID;

You are obliged by law to report every new birth and every death to the nearest office of the National Population Commission and to the National Identity Management Commission for the purpose of the enrolment exercise.

All eligible persons must present themselves for registration

5.3 Your Obligations under the Law

6. APPLICATION FOR CARD AND CARD ISSUANCE



13


at a designated registration center.

All demanded demographic, biometric, and other information must be provided by the registrant at the time of data capture for processing and storage in the NID.

All or any available 'primary source' document by which demographic information claimed can be verified must be produced for scanning by the registration officer who will indicate how verification was done and indicate so when no document is produced.

NIMC shall thereafter (post de-duplication) assign and issue a unique NIN to the registrant.

The individual's information in the NID together with the assigned NIN will be used to produce the GMPC for the person.

The GMPC produced by NIMC will be delivered by any one of the approved ways or through the registration center to the registrant.

a. Your ID card may be used by you to prove or confirm your personal identity at your preference and upon your consent.

b. Your ID card may be demanded and used with your consent to verify your identity by financial institutions, insurance agencies, Consulates and Embassies, Airline Operators, Credit Bureaus, Consumer Credit Institutions, Educational Institutions, Government Institutions, International Organizations, Civil Society Organizations and other business enterprises (foreign and local).

c. In most cases you may be required to provide a

7. USE OF YOUR CARD

7.1 General Use by Self


14

sample of your thumbprint on a card device to enable a match-on-card process to be conducted to complete the exercise. This process cannot be repudiated and amounts to an indemnity to the party relying on it.

d. Your ID card can be used by you by simply presenting it for physical comparison of your facial picture in person with the one on the card or, in addition, along with a thumb scan on a card device to enable a match-on-card exercise to be conducted. You may additionally be required to provide your National Identification Number. Where your thumbprint and NIN have been requested for and obtained, nonrepudiation and indemnity to the relying party are implied.

e. Your ID card and NIN will also be used by you impliedly when you conduct a commercial transaction in which your ID card and or NIN is required from you either directly or indirectly, including electronic transfer payments and cash transactions on an automated teller machine (ATM).

a. Application for and issuance of a passport;b. Application / renewal of driving licensec. Opening of an individual or personal bank account;d. Purchase of insurance policies;e. Purchase, transfer and registration of land by any

individual or any transaction connected therewith subject to the provisions of the Land Use Act;

f. Such transactions pertaining to individuals as may be prescribed and regulated by the Pensions Reform Act

7.2. Mandatory Use of National Identification Number (NIN)

The NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 provides in Section 27, for the mandatory use of the NIN issued and assigned to a registered individual to be presented for the following transactions



15


2004;g. Such transactions specified under the Contributory

Health Insurance Scheme;h. Such transactions that have social security

implications;i. All consumer credit transactions;j. Registration of voters;k. Payment of taxes;l. Such relevant government services; and m. Any other transactions which the Commission may so

prescribe and list in the Government Gazette.

The effective date for the commencement of the mandatory use of the NIN (and or the ID Card) shall be specified by the Commission and a public notice shall be given.

The personal information on each registered individual in the National Identity Database may be accessed and or passed on to law enforcement agencies without the consent of the individual. (NIMC will adhere to the necessary requirements of a court process and observance of relevant constitutional provisions) except as provided for in Section 26 especially Section 26 (3);

The personal information on each individual in the National Identity Database may be shared with other government agencies and public bodies without the consent of the owner in view of the provisions of the NIMC Act which empowers the NIMC to harmonize and integrate identity databases in government agencies, where an individual has sought or is seeking for a particular government agency's service and where the E-Government platform for Government-wide service delivery efficiency improvement schemes demand it.

The NIMC Act provides safeguards and penalties for the unauthorized access and use of the personal information of an individual in the National Identity Database. Other technology based safeguards have also been put in place

7.3 Use of Personal Information in the National Identity Database


16

to ensure that the use of personal information of individuals under this situation is not abused.

The NIMC Act in Section 25 provides the conditions under which the National ID card can be cancelled and withdrawn.

However cardholders are required to note that the National ID card is issued to an individual and should not be lent or given to any other person(s) to use. It should not be used as a form of collateral or deposited in lieu for any reason. Lending or giving your card to any other person will result in the deactivation of the card.

Any fraudulent use of the National ID card must be reported to the police or NIMC immediately.

It is a criminal offence to knowingly accept and or deal in a national ID card that has been deactivated or cancelled.

It is a criminal offence to replicate or tamper with the national ID card.

Various other acts which constitutes 'card misuse' and or unauthorized access and refusal to give relevant information, by cardholders and or third parties have been set out in the NIMC Act including the defined offences and penalties, in Sections 28, 29 and 30.

The NIMC Act in Sections 23 and 25 makes specific provision for safeguarding the national ID card. In particular:

It is the responsibility of each ID cardholder to safeguard, keep secure and preserve his card in good form.

A national ID card holder must report immediately to the Commission if his card is lost, stolen, damaged, tampered

7.4 Card Misuse and Grounds For Cancellation

7.5 Safeguarding Your National ID Card



17


with, or destroyed.

Any lost and found card must be returned to the owner or to the Commission immediately.

If a lost card is not handed in within a reasonable time (two weeks), it will be cancelled immediately.

The utilization of a cancelled ID card by an individual is a criminal offence

A replacement card can be requested online or at any NIMC office and collection must be in person. Should a lost Card be found after a replacement has been requested for or issued, there would be no reversal of the process and the previous ID card remains cancelled. and must either be returned to NIMC or destroyed by cutting into suitably small (less than 1cm) pieces before disposal.

It is a criminal offence to willfully destroy or mutilate a national ID card.

There will be a charge for replacing all damaged and or lost cards.

In case you lose your card, please do the following:

a) Call the NIMC contact centre on the telephone number provided on the NIMC website or go to the nearest registration centre to lodge a report on the loss.

b) Report at the nearest police station.c) Obtain and fill a form for 'Notification of lost/stolen

cards' at the nearest NIMC office or log on to NIMC website and fill the form provided for this purpose. Follow directions provided on the website.

d) Any person who finds or comes into possession of a national ID card which does not belong to him shall return it without delay, either to the person to whom it is issued or to the nearest office of the NIMC or police station.

7.6 Loss of card


18

7.7 Your Card and Protection of Individual Privacy The NIMC has adopted a Privacy Policy which was developed after a privacy impact assessment to determine how to use a combination of technologies, improved processes and procedures and technological innovations to help protect the privacy of individuals. Care has been taken to institute measures which do not have to be stated here to safeguard personal information and ensure that individual privacy is enhanced and preserved.

All the provisions of the NIMC 2007 Act 23, 2007, have been observed and will continue to be observed. Also all provisions of laws have been taken into account. Extant technological innovations on security in information systems have been exploited and applied to ensure the security of the NIMS, the NID, the implementation, operation and management of the entire system. Deliberate efforts have been made to comply with international standards and guidelines.

The system is provided with the highest possible security in order to protect, preserve and secure the personal data on each individual and thereby assure their individual privacy and protection from identity fraud. Among the features of the system are the following:

a) Only authorized agencies can have access to the applications and data relevant to their statutory responsibilities;

b) Access to other data by agencies and other third parties will be in accordance to the NIMC access guidelines and compliance with end user operational terms and conditions;

c) Agencies are forbidden from unauthorized access to another's data;

d) Both NID and information on ID cards are accorded the highest security and protected from access by unauthorized persons or bodies;

e) Information on NID are encrypted to make it



19


impossible to decipher by unauthorized parties;f) Access to NID is only through secure private network

with layers of filters and restrictive access rights and as licensed by the NIMC;

g) Only security cleared NIMC staff will be responsible for the maintenance of the NID and provision of information from it; and

h) Tough sanctions and penalties including criminal prosecution are imposed for unauthorized access in the NIMC 2007 Act 28, 2007.

The ID card does not confer Nigerian citizenship on a person. It only provides a medium for guarantying the identity of the Cardholder.

The national ID card is issued upon successful registration and assignment of a NIN. The ID card is to be delivered within thirty (30) days after the NIN has been communicated to the individual. A 'Tracking ID' is also issued to an individual who has completed the registration process to enable him track the process of issuance and delivery of the national ID card.

If you want, you can track your ID card by calling the registration centre where you registered or by calling the NIMC Call Centre.

If you are wrongly denied access to the registration centre or refused service or your card is not delivered within the specified time or there are errors in the ID card issued to you, you should please immediately phone or report to any N I M C o f f i c e o r s e n d a n e m a i l t o [email protected].

7.8 Limitations and Restrictions

8. COMPLAINTS


20

9. GENERAL ISSUESThis is the National Identity Card Policy of the NIMC. It may be reviewed by the NIMC to bring it up to date with overall government policy directives and vision for economic development of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

a. It should be clearly understood that the National ID Card remains the property of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Government reserves the right to withdraw it from any cardholder without providing any information and or reason for its action.

b. By applying for and receiving an assigned NIN and a National ID Card, individuals are deemed to have accepted the conditions and terms for the issuance and use of the national ID card and for the preservation of personal information of an individual in the National Identity Database (NID) and for the provision of access to and hi hiuse of such information for purposes of identity verification and authentication and for matters related thereto especially as set out in this Policy.

c. Where an individual is discovered to have obtained a national ID card under false pretense, the card would be withdrawn from him and appropriate action taken against him for the offence of misrepresentation and or false pretense as the case may be.

d. This National ID Card Policy should be read in conjunction with the National Policy and Institutional Framework for an Identity Management System for Nigeria as well as the NIMC Act. Where any conflict exists, the provisions of the NIMC Act will prevail.



21



22

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A

APPENDIX B

Disability Information

Application Procedure

Provision has been made in the technology design for the assignment and issuance of the NIN and the national ID card for all disability conditions (otherwise known as special abilities) and a special ability person is expected to ask for and be clearly put through the processes for obtaining a national ID card.

1. Every Nigerian of age 16 years and above is expected to apply for and be issued with a national identity card.

2. Nigerians below 16 years of age may not be issued cards. They may however apply for and would be issued a NIN based on the prior registration of or against their parent / legal guardian's registration.

3. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) would provide updated procedures and locations for application, data capture and card collection points on it corporate website www.nimc.gov.ng.

4. Documents to be presented at the time of application for the purpose of registering citizen include but are not limited to a 'primary source' document, a list which will be displayed at each registration centre and at every NIMC call centre. The list includes 'birth certificate' 'sworn affidavit' (in case of no birth certificate at birth or lost birth certificate.)

5. Completed Application Forms (may be collected at point of enrollment or downloaded from the NIMC website www.nimc.gov.ng.



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APPENDIX C

Card IssuanceSection 18 and 19 of the NIMC Act provides for the issuance of the National ID card (NNIC) to every registered person. The responsibility is that of the NIMC which it may delegate under section 5 (m and j). 1. The first card will be issued to citizens at no cost. Legal

residents are to pay a nominal fee. Both Citizens and legal residents are expected to provide accurate contact information: physical address, telephone numbers (mobile) and email address as a combination of several or all of these means may be employed for the purpose of communicating to them when their cards are ready.

2. Citizens and legal resident's GMPC are expected to be picked up at designated points (in most cases the place of registration 30 days after registration has been confirmed successful by the assignment and delivery of the unique NIN.

3. Citizens and legal residents should come to the point of collection with the Tracking ID slip or any other slip issued to them at the registration centre.

4. Citizens and legal residents are reminded to note that the National ID Card should be kept safely at all times.


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APPENDIX D

How to Use Card for PaymentProvision has been made in the card for a national payment solution to be available on the card as well as the payment gateway. The activation of these two facilities which will comply with financial regulatory equirements will enhance the usage and sustainability of the card greatly. The payment solution to be implemented will inform the enlightenment for card holders on how to use the card for payment.



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