from our Monrovia contributors
MONROVIA – The Coalition of Civil Society Institutions of Liberia (CCSI) has welcomed a decision by a joint House of Representatives committee to summon the leadership of the National Identification Registry (NIR). The NIR management is expected to appear before the body on Friday, March 6, 2026.
The inquiry is being conducted by a joint committee comprising State Enterprises, Ways and Means, and Information and Broadcasting, acting under a direct mandate from the full House of Representatives.
Investigating a Nine-Month Service Gap
The primary focus of the summons is the prolonged suspension of National Identification (NID) card issuance. The NIR has remained closed to the public since June 23, 2025, citing a “technical upgrade.” However, the extended closure has entered its ninth month, creating widespread difficulties for citizens and foreign residents alike.
The lack of access to NID cards has restricted the public’s ability to engage in essential services, including:
- Opening and maintaining bank accounts
- Registering mobile SIM cards
- School enrollment and university registrations
- Securing formal employment
A System in Limbo
Established in 2011, the NIR began issuing biometric ID cards in 2017. Despite chronic funding and logistical hurdles, the Registry successfully integrated hundreds of thousands of individuals into the National Biometric Identification System (NBIS), making the card a cornerstone of daily life in Liberia.
Progress stalled in mid-2025 following a controversial announcement by the Ministry of Information to relax the enforcement of NID requirements for transactions. Shortly thereafter, the Registry halted operations entirely.
Civil Society Demands Action
The leadership of the Coalition of Civil Society Institutions hailed the House committee’s intervention as a necessary step toward accountability. In a statement, the group pledged to maintain pressure on the government until the NIR resumes full operations.
“The suspension of these vital services is a disservice to the nation,” a Coalition spokesperson noted. “We will ensure this remains a priority until every Liberian can once again access their national identity documents.”