The Federal Government is set to launch three new national identity cards in May this year, aimed at enhancing services and inclusion across Nigeria. These cards are:
- Bank-Enabled National ID Card: This card will cater to the needs of the middle and upper segments of society who frequently use banking services. It will provide authentication and secure access to financial services, allowing transactions and other financial activities.
- Social Intervention Card (National Safety Net Card): This card will address urgent needs for authentication and serve as a secure platform for government services, particularly for social safety programs such as palliatives. It will primarily benefit vulnerable Nigerians under existing government intervention programs.
- Optional ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card: This card will be issued as needed in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service, likely serving as a form of identity verification for travel and regional integration within ECOWAS member countries.
The Technical Adviser, Media, and Communications to the Director-General of NIMC, Ayodele Babalola, who disclosed these in an interview on Sunday, said Nigerians would start getting the three national ID cards within one or two months of the launch.
These initiatives represent a collaboration between the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS). They aim to leverage technology to offer increased options for domestic consumers while delivering services more innovatively, cost-effectively, and competitively.
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The new cards are designed to provide physical identification, facilitate access to government and private social services, promote financial inclusion, empower citizens, and encourage greater participation in nation-building initiatives.
To receive these cards, citizens will be required to make requests at designated bank branches and NIMC locations, where they will undergo verification processes. The new identity cards will incorporate advanced features such as biometric authentication (e.g., fingerprint and picture) and offline capabilities for transactions in areas with limited network coverage.
However, there have been reactions from experts expressing concerns about the potential duplication of efforts and resource wastage, especially given the existing platforms such as the National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN). These experts emphasize the need for robust technological infrastructure, privacy protection, and compliance protocols to effectively implement such ambitious initiatives.
This initiative follows previous attempts by the government to issue new identity cards, with ongoing efforts to improve convenience and digital integration within the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) framework.
