Nigeria Introduces New National ID Card with Payment and Social Service Features
The Nigerian Government, in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), is set to introduce an advanced National Identity card, integrating payment capabilities and social service features, Excel Magazine International can report.
Developed in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System, the new card will leverage AfriGO, a domestic card scheme.
Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, disclosed this development in a statement obtained by Excel Magazine International at the weekend.
Aligned with the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, which mandates the issuance of a comprehensive multipurpose card to Nigerians and legal residents, the enhanced national ID card will incorporate verifiable National Identity features.
This initiative aims to address the growing need for physical identification, facilitating identity verification and granting access to government and private social services.
Moreover, the national ID card is poised to advance financial inclusion, empower citizens, and stimulate greater engagement in nation-building initiatives.
NIMC clarified that only registered citizens and legal residents possessing the National Identification Number will be eligible to apply for the card.
The statement highlighted, “The card, which will be produced according to ICAO standards, is positioned as the country’s default national identity card.”
Furthermore, cardholders will have the option to utilize the card as a debit or prepaid card by linking it to their preferred bank accounts.
“The card shall enable eligible persons, especially those financially excluded from social and financial services, to have access to multiple government intervention programmes,” the statement added.
Emphasizing data protection and public interest, NIMC affirmed its commitment to safeguarding cardholders’ personal information and ensuring adherence to international data security standards.
Notable features of the card encompass a machine-readable zone in accordance with ICAO for e-passport information, identity card issuance date, and document number, in alignment with ICAO norms.
Additionally, the card will integrate travel, health insurance data, microloans, agricultural support, food subsidies, transportation, and energy assistance, among other functionalities.
