New National ID Cards
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Federal Government of Nigeria is set to roll out three new national identity cards in May this year, with the aim of providing them to approximately 104 million citizens across the nation.
According to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), these new identity cards include a bank-enabled National ID card, a social intervention card, and an optional ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card.
Ayodele Babalola, the Technical Adviser for Media and Communications to the Director-General of NIMC, revealed this information in an interview with Punch on Sunday.
He stated that Nigerians could expect to start receiving these cards within one or two months after the launch, pending approval from the Presidency.
Babalola explained, “We expect the bank-enabled National ID to meet the needs of the middle and upper segments who typically use banks within the next one or two months after launch. Also, activation of the National Safety Net Card to meet the urgent needs for authentication and a secure platform for government services such as palliatives within the next one or two months.”
He further clarified that digital versions of the cards would be available for those who prefer digital formats, with limited functionalities. Additionally, ECOWAS cards will be issued as needed in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service.
The recent announcement follows the Identity Commission’s unveiling of plans to launch a multipurpose national identity card equipped with payment capability for various social and financial services. This initiative is a collaboration between NIMC, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System, aimed at offering increased options for domestic consumers.
Babalola emphasized that the new cards would address the need for physical identification, facilitate access to government and private social services, promote financial inclusion for marginalized Nigerians, and encourage greater participation in nation-building initiatives.
He revealed that the commission aims to allocate these cards to 104 million eligible applicants on the national identification number database as of the end of December 2023.
Furthermore, Babalola mentioned that the project would be powered by AfriGo, an initiative launched by the Central Bank of Nigeria in January 2023 to drive financial inclusion and boost data sovereignty.
This move comes in line with plans announced by the World Bank to collaborate with NIMC to ensure the successful rollout and registration of digital national IDs for all Nigerians.
Shubham Chaudhuri, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, expressed the ambitious target of providing at least 148 million people of working age with a digital national ID by the middle of 2024, marking a significant step towards inclusion and accessibility.
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