Nigerian government announces plans to launch new national ID card with payment and social features.

The Nigerian government has annnounced plans to launch an enhanced National Identity card layered with payment capabilities and social service features.

The Head of Corporate Communications of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Kayode Adegoke, announced this in a statement on Friday.

According to him, the new card, developed in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System, will be powered by AfriGO, a national domestic card scheme.

The commission also said only registered citizens and legal residents with the national identification number (NIN) will be eligible to request the card.

“The national ID card, layered with verifiable national Identity features, is backed by the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, which mandates NIMC to enrol and issue a general multipurpose card (GMPC) to Nigerians and legal residents,” the statement reads.

“This card 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.

The card, which will be produced according to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (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.”