The National Identity Management Commission, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System, will introduce an enhanced National Identity card.
This card, powered by AfriGO, will feature payment capabilities and social service functionalities. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, announced this development in a statement on Friday.
The new card, fortified with verifiable National Identity features, aligns with the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, mandating the enrollment and issuance of a general multipurpose card to Nigerians and legal residents.
The commission aims to address the need for physical identification with this initiative, enabling cardholders to verify their identity and access government and private social services.
The national ID card will promote financial inclusion, empower citizens, and encourage greater participation in nation-building efforts.
According to the statement, “The card, produced according to ICAO standards, will serve as the country’s primary national identity card. Alongside this, cardholders can utilize the cards as debit or prepaid cards by linking them to their chosen bank accounts.
This initiative aims to grant eligible individuals, particularly those financially excluded, access to various government intervention programs.
NIMC remains dedicated to safeguarding cardholders’ personal data in compliance with data protection regulations and international standards on data security protocols, ensuring confidentiality and safety.
features include a machine-readable zone for e-passport information, identity card issue date, and document number in accordance with ICAO standards, as well as provisions for travel, health insurance, microloans, agriculture, food stamps, transport, and energy subsidies.”