The Nigerian government, in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS), has introduced a groundbreaking identity solution with payment capabilities powered by AfriGO, a National domestic card scheme.
The newly unveiled National ID card, integrated with verifiable National Identity features, is authorized by the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, which mandates NIMC to enroll and issue General Multipurpose cards (GMPC) to Nigerians and legal residents.
Kayode Adegoke, the head of corporate communications at NIMC, highlighted the significance of the new ID card in meeting the demand for physical identification. He emphasized that cardholders can utilize the card to prove their identity, access government and private social services, promote financial inclusion, empower citizens, and foster participation in nation-building initiatives.
Moreover, the ID card doubles as a debit or prepaid card, allowing cardholders to link it to their preferred bank accounts. This functionality aims to provide access to multiple government intervention programs, particularly benefiting financially marginalized individuals.
Adegoke emphasized that only registered citizens and legal residents with a National Identification Number (NIN) are eligible to request the card. The card, adhering to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, is positioned as the country’s primary national identity card.
Regarding data protection, Adegoke assured Nigerians of NIMC’s commitment to safeguarding cardholders’ data. He affirmed NIMC’s adherence to data protection regulations and international standards on data security protocols to ensure the confidentiality and safety of users’ information.
