Abstract:
Biometric national identity card schemes are increasingly becoming common around the world
and considered as an essential social component of our time. It is assumed that providing national
identity cards to all the citizens will help governments to combat various social malice such as
terrorism, illegal immigration, fraudulent activities, and accelerate social service delivery.
Nevertheless, the introduction of national identity card has been a matter of academic and policy
debate. This paper, based on a review of the literature, portrays a general overview and the
current state of knowledge and understanding about the issues and concerns associated with
national identity schemes. Although the use of biometric technology-based national identity
schemes need not or do not face refusals, the unintended, unwelcome and unanticipated
consequences on society of such a high-tech scheme must be critically considered to ensure utmost
benefits to the society. It is also suggested that in order to combat or control social threats and
vices, social resistance is more important than the introduction and use of high technology.
