The Federal Government, in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), is set to introduce an enhanced national identity card that incorporates payment functionality for a wide range of social and financial services. This innovative card, developed 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, announced this development in a statement released on Friday. The new national ID card, equipped with verifiable identity features, is governed by the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, which mandates the issuance of a General Multipurpose card (GMPC) to both Nigerians and legal residents.
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NIMC emphasized that only individuals registered with the National Identification Number (NIN) will be eligible to apply for the card. The card aims to meet the demand for physical identification, enabling cardholders to prove their identity and access government and private social services. It also aims to promote financial inclusion among disenfranchised Nigerians, empowering citizens and encouraging greater participation in nation-building efforts.
In addition to serving as a default national identity card, the new card will function as a debit or prepaid card, allowing cardholders to link it to their preferred bank accounts. This will enable eligible individuals, especially those excluded from financial services, to access various government intervention programs.
NIMC reassured the public of its commitment to protecting cardholders’ personal data, ensuring compliance with international data security standards. Key features of the card will include a Machine-readable Zone (MRZ) compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards for e-passport information, as well as identity card issue date and document number in line with ICAO standards.
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Other features of the card will include travel and health insurance information, microloans, agricultural support, food stamps, transportation subsidies, energy subsidies, and more. It will also contain Nigeria’s quick response code (NQR) with the national identification number, along with biometric authentication such as fingerprints and photographs for identity verification. The card will have offline capability to enable transactions in areas with limited network coverage or infrastructure connectivity.
The new card will be available for request by registered citizens and legal residents through various channels including online platforms, commercial banks, participating agencies or agents involved in government programs, and NIMC offices nationwide.
Source: Channelstv
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