The Nigerian government, through the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), will launch an enhanced National Identity card that comes with payment capabilities and social service features.
This card was developed in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBBS), will be powered by AfriGO, a national domestic card platform.
This development was announced by Head of Corporate Communications of NIMC, Kayode Adegoke, announced this in a recent statement.
The national ID card is fortified with verifiable National Identity features and is supported by the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, which mandates enrollment and issuance of a general multipurpose card to Nigerians and legal residents.
According to the commission, the initiative aims to meet the demand for physical identification, enabling cardholders to verify their identity and access both government and private social services.
The national ID card will foster financial inclusion, citizen empowerment, and increased participation in nation-building endeavours.
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 are a machine-readable zone in conformation with ICAO for e-passport information, identity card Issue date and document number in accordance with ICAO standards, travel, health insurance information, microloans, agriculture, food stamps, transport, energy subsidies, and so on.
