Presidency Highlights Benefits of Upcoming Multipurpose National ID Card
The Presidency has emphasized the importance of the soon-to-be-launched multipurpose National ID card, a project spearheaded by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), describing it as a transformative tool for Nigerians.
In a sensitization video shared on X by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre, the Presidency outlined several benefits of the card, which is designed to promote financial inclusion, ease access to government services, and provide transparency in social contracts with citizens.
According to the video, the new card will grant holders access to government interventions and financial opportunities, including loans from both government and private financial institutions. These loans will be supported by verifiable credit scores, which will be developed using the holder’s financial records.
The initiative is bolstered by a recent partnership between the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) and NIMC, aimed at expediting the creation of credit scores for Nigerians tied to their National Identification Number (NIN).
Highlighting the card’s impact, the Presidency stated that it aims to bring over 100 million Nigerians into the formal banking system, addressing financial exclusion that has affected a significant portion of the population. The card will also provide options for users to request either credit or debit cards, broadening its utility.
Mandatory NIN Integration
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The NIN, already a requirement for obtaining documents like international passports and driver’s licenses, will now become essential for applying to jobs in both government and private sectors. Employers will benefit from the assurance of hiring verified citizens with credible profiles.
Distribution and Accessibility
Dr. Peter Iwegbu, Head of Card Management Services at NIMC, disclosed during a recent media workshop in Lagos that while the NIN is compulsory for every Nigerian, the new multipurpose card will be available upon request. To simplify the process, NIMC has partnered with banks nationwide, allowing citizens to request and collect their cards at nearby bank branches.
Iwegbu assured Nigerians that the cards would be distributed at a uniform price across all banks, and sample test cards have already been received ahead of the official launch, which is expected in a few weeks.
Cutting-Edge Functionalities
The multipurpose ID card, powered by AfriGO in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS), is equipped to handle identity verification, payments, and eNaira transactions. It adheres to EMV operational and security standards, ensuring secure transactions.
Additionally, the card will be integrated with services from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), making it a central tool for accessing government programs and interventions.
The NIMC, in its statement earlier this year, described the initiative as a major step toward enhancing financial inclusion and digital identity in Nigeria. With its official rollout imminent, the card is set to reshape access to services for millions of Nigerians.
