Date: 2017-10-13

Residents of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital have lamented long wait to get their National Identification Number (NIN) slips, several months after their registration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

Recall that the NIMC was launched in December 2012 by the immediate past administration of Goodluck Jonathan in order to capture Nigerians from the age of 18 and above.

However, while the registration of applicants may be regarded seamless, people have had to wait endlessly to obtain their NIN slips, a situation which has been bemoaned by residents of Ilorin, in separate interviews with our reporter.

Speaking with National Pilot, on Tuesday, a trader who identified himself as Yusuf Musa said he registered for NIN on 16th of June but he is yet to be issued the slip till date.

According to him, he has visited the NIMC headquarters located on Asa Dam Road, Ilorin several times but consistently told to check back.

"Aside the risk of leaving my shop, I have wasted a lot of money that I could have he commission sort out its challenges early," Musa lamented.

used for other benefitting purposes, to transport myself to NIMC office. I can only hope that the commission sort out its challenges early," Musa lamented.

"I don't know what is happening, I registered in August and this is the third time I am coming here all to no avail", said another aggrieved resident who pleaded anonymity.

Reacting to the issue, the Kwara State Coordinator of the NIMC, Habeeb Olumo said the commission issues NIN slip to applicants, seven days after registration.

"Those experiencing problem in obtaining their slip on schedule may have registered earlier without disclosing to officials of NIMC roblem or internal error." Otherwise the delay may be linked to network problem or internal error."

Speaking further, Olumo said the commission as part of its duties, is enrolling children from ages 0-15 for NIN.

"Once a child is given a name, he or she is eligible for enrolment and can be taken to any NIMC centres for registration by the parents or guardian provided that such parents possess NIN slips," he said.

While reacting to delay in issuance of smart cards, the NIMC boss said the commission is poorly funded due to the present economic meltdown in the country, a situation that has slowed the rate of producing the cards.