Photographs: Sam Wawrinka Washington Jr.
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Claim: A Facebook user, Sam Wawrinka Washington Jr., alleges that national ID cards are issued for a lifetime in most countries, except Liberia, where they have an expiration date.
Verdict: False. Verified data from neighbouring countries such as Nigeria and Ghana clearly show that identity cards in those nations also have defined validity periods.
Full Text
In the wake of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s Executive Order No. 126 mandating that all citizens and public sector employees obtain the National Identification Card (NIR), public discussions have intensified about the cost, validity, and efficiency of the card issuance process.
The Executive Order stipulates that government workers must present a valid NIR card to receive salary payments through commercial banks.
Amidst concerns about logistical challenges in the registration process, one particular claim by a Liberian citizen, Sam Wawrinka Washington Jr., has gained attention.
“By and large, NIR cards are issued for a lifetime, only in Liberia they carry an expiring date,” Washington asserted, criticising the process as disorganised and structurally weak.
DUBAWA decided to fact-check the claim due to its potential to mislead.
Verification
What is a National Identity Card?
A national ID card is an official document issued by a government that contains key biographical information such as the holder’s name, photograph, date of birth, address, and unique ID number. Some countries embed biometric data in these cards.
Validity of National ID Cards Across Countries:
Liberia: According to the National Identification Registry (NIR), ID cards are valid for three (3) years for first-time applicants and seven (7) years upon renewal.
Nigeria: The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) issues ID cards with a five (5) year validity period for citizens.
Ghana: The Ghana Card, issued by the National Identification Authority (NIA), is valid for ten (10) years, after which it must be renewed.
The claimant, however, did not provide any evidence to substantiate his claim despite our researcher’s request for a response.
This indicates that national identity cards are not always issued for life. Assigning expiration dates to ID cards is a common practice, as it enables governments to update biometric data, reduce fraud, and maintain accurate population databases.
Conclusion
Washington’s assertion lacks a factual basis and misrepresents standard identity management practices in the region.
