The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) is set to launch an improved National Identity Card (NIC) layered with payment capabilities and functionalities to deliver social service programmes.
The move according to the commission is in collaboration with the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through AFRIGOPAY Financial Services.
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The AfriGO, which was launched as a national domestic card scheme by the Central bank through AFRIGOPAY Financial Services to perform domestic transactions within Nigeria like existing debit cards, will drive the initiative.
The newly improved national identity card, integrated with capabilities to facilitate payments and deliver social service programmes operates under the mandate of the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 and obliges NIMC to enroll and distribute General Multipurpose Cards, GMPC to Nigerian citizens and legal residents.
The card responds to the need for physical identity tokens, allowing cardholders to authenticate their identity, access government and private services, and promote financial inclusion among marginalized Nigerians, fostering citizen empowerment and enhancing engagement in national development endeavors.
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Only citizens and legal residents with a National Identification Number (NIN) are eligible to apply for the card, which can be requested at any commercial bank branch, via online portas accessible through banks’ web and mobile applications, other designated centres or at any NIMC offices nationwide.
The card holders, according to NIMC, will have the flexibility to link the card to their preferred bank account as it functions as a debit, credit, or prepaid card for payments and activate same for access to multiple social programmes being driven by the Federal Government.
NIMC in a statement said the card will be valid for a period of five years from the date of issuance.
The commission assured of its commitment to safeguarding the personal data and privacy of all card holders, adhering to international standards and best practices in data security.
“The card is equipped with security features designed to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of user information such as offline capability enabling transactions in areas with limited network coverage,” NIMC said.
Other features of the card include Machine-readable Zone (MRZ) containing e-passport information, identity Card Issue Date displayed on the card as well as additional features encompassing travel, health, insurance information, and other pertinent personal data for identification and verification stored in the chip.
“Furthermore, it will also serve as a debit and prepaid card catering to both banked and unbanked individuals,” NIMC said.
