The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), will unveil an enhanced National Identity card layered with payment capabilities and social service features.
This new card, created in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System, would be powered by AfriGO, a national domestic card scheme.
Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, revealed this in a statement on Friday.
The national ID card, which has verifiable national identity elements, is supported by the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007. This act requires Nigerians and legal residents to enlist and receive a generic multipurpose card.
The commission stated that the programme intends to address the demand for physical identification by allowing cardholders to verify their identity and access government and private social services.
The national ID card will encourage financial inclusion, empower residents, and expand involvement in nation-building initiatives.
NIMC noted that only registered citizens and legal residents with the National Identification Number will be eligible to request the card
The statement read, “The card, which will be produced according to ICAO standards, is positioned as the country’s default national identity card.
“In addition to this functionality, cardholders will also be able to use the cards as debit or prepaid cards by linking the same to bank accounts of their choice.
“The card shall enable eligible persons, especially those financially excluded from social and financial services, to have access to multiple government intervention programmes.
“In line with data protection regulation and public interest, NIMC remains committed to protecting cardholders’ personal data and will ensure compliance with international standards on data security protocols as security features that protect the confidentiality and safety of users’ information.”
Other features of the card include a machine-readable zone in conformation with ICAO for e-passport information, identity card Issue date and document number in line with ICAO standards, travel, health insurance information, microloans, agriculture, food stamps, transport, and energy subsidies, etc.
