National Identity Management Commission to reveal new multi-purpose card over the next few days

NIGERIA'S federal government  has unveiled an improved National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) multi-purpose card to be used for all forms of  social interventions and one that will facilitate a transparent financial payment system.

It appears that this new card is one that was first muted early last year to serve as a one-stop shop and remove the need for multiple cards like the National Identity Number (Nin) card, Permanent Voters Card and bank debit cards. This new card, developed in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System, will be powered by AfriGO, a national domestic card scheme.

Kayode Adegoke, the head of corporate communications at NIMC, said the new ID card, fortified with verifiable features, is supported by the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, which mandates the enrolment and issuance of a general multipurpose card to Nigerians and legal residents. He added that the initiative aims to meet the demand for physical identification, enabling cardholders to verify their identity and access both government and private social services.

This national ID card, according to Mr Adegoke, will also promote financial inclusion, empower citizens and foster increased participation in nation-building endeavours. NIMC director-general, Abisoye Coker-Odusote,  said the card goes beyond identity to include all government services and digital financial transactions.

She added that the improved card will bridge the divide between the government and the people. Ms Coker-Odusote said: “With the multipurpose card, Nigerians can access government services without having a godfather or mother.”

She revealed that this new card would be launched in a couple of days. NIMC said over 115m Nigerians have been enrolled in its Nin database, as a Nin card is compulsory to obtain an international passport or to but air time.