FG Unveils Plan to Launch Multipurpose National Identity Card

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), has announced its plans to launch a new National Identity card with payment and social service delivery capabilities.

This was made public in a statement released by NIMC via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle in the wake of Saturday morning, stating key features to be integrated into the new citizens’ identity scheme.

According to the NIMC statement, the new card will address the demand for physical identification, enabling cardholders to prove their identity and access government and private social services.

It further would address financial inclusivity, especially for disenfranchised Nigerians and provision for a General Multipurpose card for Nigerians.

The card is also created to reach the unbanked as it enables its use as a debit or prepaid card to avoid being excluded from government intervention programs.

The following outlines the features as itemised:

• Machine-readable Zone (MRZ) in conformation with ICAO for e-passport information
• Identity card issue date and document number in line with ICAO standard
• Additional features include travel, health, insurance information, microloans, agriculture, food stamps, transport, and energy subsidies, etc
• Nigeria’s quick response code (NQR) containing the national identity number
• Biometric authentication, such as fingerprints and pictures, is the primary medium for identity verification through the data on the card chip
• Offline capability that allows transactions in areas with limited network coverage or zero infrastructure connectivity
• Functionality as a debit and prepaid card catering to banked and unbanked individuals.

Meanwhile, the request for cards by registered citizens and legal residents (foreigners) will be made accessible on the NIMC website, at any commercial bank, various agencies or agents participating in multiple programs and at any NIMC offices across the country.

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Mayowa Durosinmi

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M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

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