NIMC: New National ID Card with Payment, Social Features Ready Soon

Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri

The federal government, through the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has revealed a plan to introduce an enhanced National Identity card layered with payment capabilities and social service features.

The spokesperson for the NIMC, Kayode Adegoke, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, said the card, which was being developed in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS), would be powered by AfriGO, a national domestic card scheme.
The statement noted that the national ID card, fortified with verifiable National Identity features, is supported by the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, which mandates the enrollment and issuance of a general multipurpose card to Nigerians and legal residents.

The initiative, according to Adegoke, 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 promote financial inclusion, empower citizens, and foster increased participation in nation-building endeavours, the statement said.
According to NIMC, only registered citizens and legal residents with the National Identification Number (NIN) will be eligible to request the card.

“The card, which will be produced according to ICAO standards, is positioned as the country’s default national identity card,” the statement said.
It added: “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’ data and will ensure compliance with international standards on data security protocols as security features that protect the confidentiality and safety of users’ information,” the statement added.

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, among others.