The Nigerian Federal Government, in partnership with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System, is set to launch a groundbreaking identity solution with integrated payment functionalities for a range of social and financial services.
Kayode Adegoke, the Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, revealed this development in an official statement released on Friday, April 5.
The initiative, named AfriGO, will harness the National Identity Card by integrating verifiable identity features mandated by the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007.
According to the statement:
“Only registered citizens and legal residents with the National Identification Number (NIN) will be eligible to apply for the card.
“The card, designed to meet ICAO standards, will serve as Nigeria’s primary national identity card.
Beyond this function, cardholders can also utilize the cards for debit or prepaid transactions by linking them to their preferred bank accounts.
“The card will enable qualified individuals, particularly those excluded from financial services, to access various government intervention programs.”
The new National ID card aims to address the need for reliable physical identification, providing cardholders with access to both government and private sector services.
Additionally, it will facilitate financial inclusion, empower citizens, and enhance participation in nation-building endeavors.
