Through the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Nigerian government has announced a plan to introduce an enhanced National Identity card with integrated payment capabilities and social service features.
Kayode Adegoke, the Head of Corporate Communications of NIMC, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
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.
Supported by the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, which mandates the enrollment and issuance of a general multipurpose card to Nigerians and legal residents, the national ID card will be fortified with verifiable National Identity features.
The initiative aims to address the demand for physical identification, allowing cardholders to verify their identity and access both government and private social services.
Additionally, the national ID card will promote financial inclusion, empower citizens, and encourage increased participation in nation-building efforts.
According to NIMC, only registered citizens and legal residents with the National Identification Number will be eligible to request the card.
The card, produced according to ICAO standards, will serve as the country’s default national identity card. Cardholders can also use the cards as debit or prepaid cards by linking them to their bank accounts.
Furthermore, the card will facilitate access to various government intervention programs, particularly for financially excluded individuals, while ensuring compliance with data protection regulations and international standards on data security protocols.
Additional features of the card include a machine-readable zone conforming with ICAO for e-passport information, identity card issue date, and document number, along with provisions for travel, health insurance, micro-loans, agriculture, food stamps, transport, and energy subsidies.
Balancing Innovation with Redundancy
While the proposed national identity card promises streamlined services, financial inclusion, and empowerment, it also faces challenges related to redundancy of existing identity systems, data security, infrastructure development, and successful implementation. Striking the right balance between convenience and privacy will be critical for its impact on Nigerian citizens.
Considering existing identification systems like the National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN), questions remain as to if these systems will be made redundant once the novel card is introduced.
Success of the new identity card will depend on effective implementation, user adoption, and addressing redundancies. Balancing these factors as well as security and privacy will be crucial for its impact on the society.
Many have criticised the scheme given the recent implementation and adoption of the NIN program, which came with a cost to residents of the country who wished to expedite the registration process as it’s a prerequisite to accessing services. Nonetheless, the government has made the announcement whilst the country is experiencing an economic crisis.
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