NIMC Shuts Down Lagos Office After Online Outrage

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The management of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has closed the Lagos office of the agency.

On Monday, pictures went viral on the internet showing Nigerians at the office of the commission in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, for the National Identification Number (NIN).

The federal government, through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) last Tuesday, had directed network service providers to disconnect any phone number not linked to NIN.

The operators were asked to block these subscribers from December 31, 2020, meaning Nigerians had only two weeks to obtain their NIN and submit to their network providers for linking.

This short period gave rise to the massive crowd at the Lagos office of NIMC on Monday and because of the new fears of second of COVID-19, Nigerians lambasted the federal government for coming with this policy at this time.

Recall that last week, the Lagos State government banned street carnivals, parties and night clubs in the state. It further directed churches and mosques to reduce their capacity by 50 per cent.

These steps were taken to control the second spread of the virus, while residents were asked to maintain social distancing and wear face masks.

Apparently embarrassed by the situation at its Lagos office, the management of the agency shut it down, leaving many who besieged the place stranded.

It was gathered that NIMC shut down its system and asked the crowd to return to their respective destinations. However, they were not informed when to return or when the place would be reopened for enrolment.