New National ID: The National Identity Management Commission, on behalf of the Federal Government, is set to introduce an upgraded version of the National Identity card incorporating advanced payment functionalities and social service attributes.
Developed in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System, this innovative card will operate on the AfriGO domestic card scheme.
Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, disclosed this development in a statement released on Friday.
Under the mandate of the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, which requires the enrollment and issuance of a comprehensive multipurpose card to Nigerians and legal residents, the new ID card will feature robust National Identity verification components.
The initiative aims to address the need for physical identification, enabling cardholders to authenticate their identity and access government and private social services seamlessly.
This multifaceted national ID card is poised to drive financial inclusion, empower citizens, and enhance participation in national development initiatives.
NIMC specified that only individuals registered with the National Identification Number (NIN) will qualify for the card.
The statement emphasized, “The card, crafted to meet ICAO standards, will serve as the primary national identity card of the country.”
Furthermore, cardholders can utilize the card for financial transactions by linking it to their preferred bank accounts, functioning as either a debit or prepaid card.
The card will grant eligible individuals, particularly those underserved by financial services, access to various government intervention programs.
In adherence to data protection regulations and public interest, NIMC pledges to safeguard cardholders’ personal information and uphold compliance with international data security standards to ensure the confidentiality and security of users’ data.
Additional features of the card include a machine-readable zone compliant with ICAO standards for e-passport information, identity card issuance date, and document number. It will also incorporate travel details, health insurance information, microloans, agricultural support, food subsidies, transportation benefits, energy subsidies, among others.
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