The National Identity Management Commission, in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System, is set to introduce an upgraded National Identity card that will include advanced features such as payment capabilities and social service functionalities. This new card is a result of collaborative efforts between the government agencies and will be powered by AfriGO, a national domestic card scheme. The announcement was made by Kayode Adegoke, the Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, in a statement released on Friday. The card will be fortified with verifiable National Identity features in compliance with the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, which mandates the enrollment and issuance of a general multipurpose card to all Nigerians and legal residents.

The primary objective of this initiative is to address the growing need for a reliable physical identification system that can be used for various purposes, including verifying identity and accessing government and private social services. By integrating payment capabilities into the national ID card, the government aims to promote financial inclusion and empower citizens to engage in formal economic activities. Additionally, the enhanced security features of the card will help reduce the reliance on traditional paper-based identification methods, thereby enhancing overall security measures.

The collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria and NIBSS is crucial in ensuring the seamless integration of the new card with existing payment systems in the country. This integration will enable cardholders to conduct transactions conveniently and securely, further enhancing their overall user experience. By leveraging AfriGO, a national domestic card scheme, the new card will be able to function effectively across various payment platforms, promoting interoperability and ease of use for cardholders. This strategic partnership will play a significant role in driving financial inclusion and expanding access to digital payment solutions for all Nigerians.

The introduction of the enhanced National Identity card represents a significant step towards modernizing the identification system in Nigeria and aligning it with global best practices. By incorporating payment capabilities and social service features into the card, the government is not only providing citizens with a more convenient and secure form of identification but also empowering them to participate more actively in the formal economy. The collaboration between NIMC, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and NIBSS underscores the government's commitment to leveraging technology to enhance service delivery and promote financial inclusion across the country. With the rollout of this new card, Nigerians can look forward to a more efficient and secure means of identification that will enable them to access a wide range of services with ease.

Naijamatta is a social networking site,

download Naijamatta from Google play store or visit www.naijamatta.com to register. You can post, comment, do voice and video call, join and open group, go live etc. Join Naijamatta family, the Green app.