The National Identity Management Commission, on behalf of the Federal Government, will introduce an improved National Identity card that includes 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, will run on AfriGO, a national domestic card scheme.
Kayode Adegoke, the Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, made this announcement in a statement on Friday.
The national ID card, equipped with verifiable National Identity features, is backed by the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, which requires the registration and distribution of a multipurpose card to all Nigerians and legal residents.
The commission stated that the initiative is designed to address the need for physical identification, allowing cardholders to confirm their identity and access government and private social services.
The national ID card will encourage financial inclusion, empower citizens, and promote greater involvement in nation-building efforts.
The NIMC clarified that only registered citizens and legal residents with a National Identification Number will be able to apply for 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.”
The card also has a machine-readable zone that complies with ICAO standards for e-passport information. It includes the issue date and document number of the identity card in line with ICAO standards. Additionally, it contains information on travel, health insurance, microloans, agriculture, food stamps, transport, energy subsidies, and more.
