In two months, Nigerians will begin using a new three-in-one identity card, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has confirmed. This multipurpose card will combine functions for identity verification, financial transactions, and social services.
A high-ranking member of the implementation team, speaking anonymously, revealed in an exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH that the card is set to be available nationwide by August this year. The official highlighted that the commission has been working diligently to stay on track for the launch, with testing and deployment already underway.
“We actually plan for July although there have been a few delays but we are still hopeful that it would come in July. So we are hoping to get it done between July and August. We are still on plan and if there is any shift, the public will know,” the official said.
He explained the extensive preparations involved in deploying the new technology, including configuring the cards, enabling outlets, and ensuring the wallet functionality works. Ongoing tasks also involve setting up the service portal and ensuring it can scale, as well as integrating with all banks to enable the card’s functionality.
On April 5, 2024, NIMC announced the launch of the new card, which includes payment capabilities and social service features, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System. This initiative aims to offer increased options for domestic consumers and enhance service delivery in a cost-effective and competitive manner.
The identity cards will feature a bank-enabled National ID card, a social intervention card, and an optional ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card.
