The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced that it will soon introduce an enhanced National Identity card that includes payment capabilities and social service features.
AfriGO, a national domestic card scheme, will power this new card, developed in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System.
The Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, Dr. Kayode Adegoke, who announced this in a statement obtained by Persecondnews in Abuja, said the initiative aims to meet the demand for physical identification, enabling cardholders to verify their identity and access both government and private social services.
NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, which mandates the enrollment and issuance of a general multipurpose card to Nigerians and legal residents, supports the national ID card, fortified with verifiable national identity features.
According to him, the national ID card will promote financial inclusion, empower citizens, and foster increased participation in nation-building endeavours.
Only registered citizens and legal residents with the National Identification Number will be eligible to request the card, he said. “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 spokesman explained.
Other features of the card include a machine-readable zone in conformity with ICAO for e-passport information, an identity card issue date and document number in line with ICAO standards, travel, health insurance information, microloans, agriculture, food stamps, transport, energy subsidies, etc.
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