The Information Attaché at the Nigerian High Commission, in Ottawa, reported that, although planned for several years, National Identification Cards did not start being issued until early this year (2 Sept. 2003). The Attaché added that at no other time were identification cards issued by individual states (2 Sept. 2003).

Government sources refer to the Department of National Civic Registration (DNCR) as being in charge of implementing the National Identity Card programme (Nigeria 14 Apr. 2003; Nigeria 18 Feb. 2003; see also Vanguard 13 May 2003). The registration programme, which had been in the planning stages since the DNCR was established in 1979 (Vanguard 13 May 2003; Nigeria 18 Feb. 2003; IRIN 4 Mar. 2003; Daily Trust 18 Feb. 2003), eventually commenced on 18 February 2003 (Nigeria 18 Feb. 2003; IRIN 4 Mar. 2003).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Daily Trust [Abuja] 18 February 2003. "Obasanjo Flags Off ID Card Programme." http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200302190194.html [Accessed 2 Sept. 2003]

Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN). 4 March 2003. "Nigeria: IRIN Focus on National Registration Programme." http://www.irinnews.org/print.asp?ReportID=32630 [Accessed 2 Sept. 2003]

Nigeria. 2 September 2003. Nigerian High Commission, Ottawa. Interview with Information Attaché.

_____. 14 April 2003. "1.5 Billion Naira Released for the Payment of DNCR Ad Hoc Staff for ID Card Project." (Press Release No. 275) http://www.nigeria.gov.ng/Press%20Release%20April/No%20275%20of%20April%2014th,%202003.htm [Accessed 2 Sept. 2003]

_____. 18 February 2003. Presidential Research and Communication Unit. "National Identity Card Scheme Takes Off." http://www.nigeriafirst.org/printer_240.shtml [Accessed 2 Sept. 2003]

Vanguard [Lagos]. 13 May 2003. Alhaji Mohammed Shatta. "National ID Card'll Make Planning Easy." http://www.vanguardngr.com/articles/2002/politics_premium/p313052003.html [Accessed 2 Sept. 2003]

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Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN)

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