The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has appointed SecureID, a Lagos-based company as first manufacturer of National Domestic Card Scheme, AfriGo Card, an innovative identity solution with payment functionality for all types of social and financial services.

The appointment is in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS).

A statement signed by the Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, Kayode Adegoke, said the National ID card, layered with verifiable national Identity features, is backed by the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, which mandates NIMC to enroll and issue a General Multipurpose Card (GMPC) to Nigerians and legal residents.

AfriGo, according to the statement, will address the demand for physical identification enabling cardholders to prove their identity, access government and private social services, facilitate financial inclusion for disenfranchised Nigerians, empower citizens, as well as encourage increased participation in nation-building.

Adegoke said, “Only registered citizens and legal residents with the National Identification Number (NIN) will be eligible to request the card.

“The card, which will be produced according to ICAO standards, is positioned as the country’s default national identity card. In addition to this functionality, cardholders will also be able to use the cards as debit or prepaid cards by linking the same to bank accounts of their choice.

“The card shall enable eligible persons, especially those financially excluded from social and financial services, to have access to multiple government intervention programs.

“In line with data protection regulation and public interest, NIMC remains committed to protecting cardholders’ personal data and will ensure compliance with international standards on data security protocols as security features that protect the confidentiality and safety of users’ information.

“Key features will include: Machine-readable Zone (MRZ) in conformation with ICAO for e-passport information
Identity card Issue Date and document number in line with ICAO standard.

“Additional features include travel, health insurance information, microloans, agriculture, food stamps, transport, and energy subsidies, etc.

“Nigeria’s quick response code (NQR) containing the national identification number

“Biometric authentication, such as fingerprint and pictures, as the primary medium for identity verification through the data on the card chip

“Offline capability that allows transactions in areas with limited network coverage or zero infrastructure connectivity

“Functionality as a debit and prepaid card catering to both banked and unbanked individuals

“Requests for cards by registered citizens and legal residents will be made available online, at any commercial bank, various agencies or agents participating in multiple programs and/or any NIMC offices nationwide.”

By PRNigeria

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TECH DIGEST – In line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, recently, commissioned SecureID Limited’s GSMA/SAS-certified facility and digital studio.

The Minister also showered encomiums on the CEO of SecureID, Kofo Akinkugbe, as the company bagged GSMA certificate.

Dr. Pantami​​ who was represented by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof Umar Danbatta, said that Akinkugbe has set a precedent for other Nigerians.

According to him, this is the first Nigerian meeting the requirement to receive this certification in the whole of Africa, and the third facility on the continent.

Dr. Pantami said: “I am very happy and on behalf of the minister congratulate this company and to learn that they have been already certified by the Global System of Mobile Associations (GSMA).

The Minister, however, urged Nigerians to patronize the company’s products which meet the same international standards like their counterparts abroad.

He reiterated Federal Government’s commitment to promote indigenous content in the production of SIM cards in line with the National Digital Economy Policy for a Digital Nigeria and Executive Orders 003 and 005.

On her part, Akinkugbe explained that she invested a lot of resources and manpower to achieve the certification and urged her to continue to meet and exceed the standard for the achievement.

In her words: “We are very happy to have the honourable Minister Isa Patanmi represented by the Executive vice chairman of the NCC, Danbatta to have come to launch first of all the GSMA certification that we have just received and also to open and launch our digital solution.

SecureID is an indigenous smart cards and SIM manufacturing company with clients in 21 African countries.

The facility that was launched has the capacity to manufacture over 200million cards annually.

Also present at the event were, the CEOs of NIMC, GBB, NigComSat and the representatives of GSMA.

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