The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says it is working with the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) to deliver the new national identity card to applicants. The card will be issued as a General Multipurpose Card (GMPC), providing a single, convenient solution that does away with the need for multiple cards. The commission on its X handle on 12 April said: “The card will be issued through the applicants’ respective banks in line with existing protocols with the issuance of the Debit/Credit cards…applicants need to request their cards with their NIN through the self-service online portal, NIMC offices, or their respective banks. The card will be powered by the AFRIGO card scheme, an indigenous scheme powered by NIBSS. The card can be picked up by holders at the designated centre or delivered to the applicants at the requested location at an extra cost to be borne by the applicants,” the update read.
Distribution of the cards to applicants via their respective banks bears similarity with the process for issuing Debit and Credit cards. As contained in a statement signed by the Head of Corporate Communications of the commission, Kayode Adegoke, on Friday the National ID card, equipped with verifiable identity features, is supported under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 which mandates NIMC to enrol and issue a General Multipurpose card (GMPC) to Nigerians and legal residents.
Additionally, the Commission is collaborating with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) to facilitate the payment and financial functionalities of the card. “The card will be powered by the AFRIGO card scheme, an indigenous scheme powered by NIBSS. Applicants for the card will have to request with their NIN through the self-service online portal, NIMC offices, or their respective banks. The card will be issued through the applicants’ respective banks in line with existing protocols for the issuance of the Debit/Credit cards. The card can be picked up by holders at the designated centre or delivered to the applicants at the requested location at an extra cost to be borne by the applicants,” the statement reads.
Consequently, Nigerians who have registered for the National Identification Number (NIN) will soon be able to request a National ID card with payment functionality for all types of social and financial services.
National Identification Number (NIN) Requirement
The 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. “Only registered citizens and legal residents with the National Identification Number (NIN) will be eligible to request the card. NIMC has stated that the card, which will be produced according to ICAO standards, is positioned as the country’s default national identity card. Cardholders can use the instrument as debit or prepaid cards by linking the same to bank accounts. “The card shall enable eligible persons especially those financially excluded from social and financial services have access to multiple government intervention programs,”
Card Security and Data Privacy
According to NIMC data protection regulations and public interest are top priorities and guardrails are in place to ensure the data of the card users are adequately protected in line with compliance measures per international standards on data security protocols as security features that protect the confidentiality and safety of users’ information.
New Identity Card, GIMPC Features
According to NIMC the principal features of the General Multipurpose Card (GMPC) 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 such as travel, health insurance information, microloans, agriculture, food stamps, transport, energy subsidies, etc.
- Nigeria’s quick response code (NQR) with the national identification number.
- Biometric authentication, such as fingerprint and pictures, is the primary medium for identity verification through the data on the card chip.
- Offline capability to facilitate 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.
NIMC says options to request cards by registered citizens and legal residents are not limited to commercial banks. That is with various agencies or agents participating in multiple programs and/or any NIMC offices nationwide, requests can also be made online.
