The Federal Government, in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), is set to introduce an upgraded National Identity card embedded with payment functionalities and social service features, News About Nigeria reports.
The development of this advanced card, achieved in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS), will be powered by AfriGO, a domestic card scheme.
Kayode Adegoke, the Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, revealed this in a statement released on Friday.
The NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, which requires that all Nigerians and legal residents receive a multifunctional card, serves as the basis for the new national ID card.
Designed to address the need for physical identification, the enhanced ID card will enable cardholders to authenticate their identity and access a range of government and private social services.
Moreover, the card is expected to drive financial inclusion, empower citizens, and encourage greater participation in nation-building efforts.
According to NIMC, only registered citizens and legal residents with the National Identification Number (NIN) will be eligible to apply for the card.
Adegoke stated, “The card, which will be produced in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, is poised to become the country’s default national identity card.”
In addition to identity verification capabilities, cardholders will have the option to use the card as a debit or prepaid card by linking it to their preferred bank accounts.
He further explained that the card would provide eligible individuals, particularly those currently excluded from financial and social services, with access to various government intervention programmes.
“NIMC remains committed to safeguarding cardholders’ personal data in compliance with international data protection regulations and ensuring adherence to data security protocols to protect users’ information,” Adegoke added.
The card’s features will also include a machine-readable zone for e-passport information, an identity card issue date, and a document number.
Additionally, it will integrate travel, health insurance details, microloans, agriculture, food stamps, transportation, energy subsidies, among others.
