MOGADISHU, Somalia — The Somali National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has extended the free period for obtaining the National Identity Card until Jan. 31, 2026, the agency’s deputy director general announced Thursday.
Deputy Director General Abdirahman Said Ahmed said the decision is intended to widen public access to the ID program and ease pressure on registration sites as demand grows.
- Advertisement -
“The National Identity Card issuance service has been extended for two months for the benefit of the Somali people. Please be among the second million citizens to register before this important card issuance service ceases to be free,” said Deputy Director General Abdirahman Said Ahmed.
NIRA said the extension is part of a broader push to ensure more Somalis can secure a National Identity Card, a document the agency calls critical for streamlining service delivery and strengthening national systems. The ID program underpins how citizens verify their identity when interacting with public and private services, according to the authority.
To handle demand, NIRA has opened three centers in Mogadishu offering 24/7 service for applicants seeking to obtain their National ID. The agency urged residents to use the extended hours and avoid last-minute queues as the deadline approaches.
Abdirahman Said encouraged people to register early, saying advance applications help reduce congestion and ensure smoother processing at the service points.
- New deadline: The free National Identity Card issuance period now runs through Jan. 31, 2026.
- Cost: Issuance remains free of charge during the extension period.
- Access: Three centers in Mogadishu are operating around the clock to handle registrations.
- Purpose: NIRA says the National ID supports better service delivery and stronger national systems.
Somalia’s National Identification and Registration Authority is the government body responsible for building and maintaining the country’s identification system and issuing National ID cards. The authority’s latest extension is aimed at consolidating recent momentum, as officials appeal to citizens across the capital and beyond to make use of the added time and expanded hours.
NIRA did not announce any changes to eligibility or documentation requirements alongside the extension. The agency’s public messaging has focused on accessibility, throughput at registration sites and the impact of early registration in avoiding bottlenecks.
Authorities did not detail the precise locations of the 24/7 Mogadishu centers in Thursday’s statement. Applicants are encouraged to seek information through official NIRA channels and proceed with registration before the free service period ends.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
