The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS), has announced plans to introduce a new national identity card. This card will have payment and social service delivery capabilities and will be powered by AfriGO, a domestic card scheme.
According to the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, which mandates the NIMC to enroll and issue a General Multipurpose card (GMPC) to Nigerians and legal residents, the new national ID card will be layered with verifiable national identity features. Its primary purpose is to provide physical identification for cardholders, granting them access to government and private social services. It will also promote financial inclusion for disenfranchised Nigerians, empower citizens, and encourage their participation in nation-building.
To be eligible for the card, individuals must be registered citizens or legal residents with a National Identification Number (NIN). The card will be produced in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and will serve as the default national identity card for Nigeria. In addition to identification purposes, cardholders will be able to link their cards to their bank accounts, allowing them to use them as debit or prepaid cards. This feature aims to provide access to various government intervention programs, particularly for financially excluded individuals.
NIMC is committed to protecting the personal data of cardholders and will ensure compliance with international data security standards. The card will have key features such as a machine-readable zone (MRZ) in compliance with ICAO standards, an identity card issue date and document number, and a Nigeria quick response code (NQR) containing the national identification number. Biometric authentication, including fingerprint and picture verification, will be used as the primary means of identity verification through the data stored on the card’s chip.
The card will also have offline capabilities, allowing transactions to be conducted in areas with limited network coverage or no infrastructure connectivity. It will function as both a debit and prepaid card, catering to both banked and unbanked individuals. Requests for the card can be made online, at commercial banks, participating agencies or agents involved in various programs, or at NIMC offices nationwide.
For more information, please visit the official website of the National Identity Management Commission at www.nimc.gov.ng.
Signed:
Kayode Adegoke
Head, Corporate Communications
Friday, 5 April 2024