The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has revealed plans to introduce an upgraded biometric identity card that will serve multiple purposes for both public and private sector use.
The new card will improve access to essential services and tackle various social and economic challenges in Nigeria.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, NIMC’s Director-General, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, outlined the key features of the card.
The upgraded identity card will incorporate biometric data, such as fingerprints, to ensure uniqueness and will be KYC-enabled, offering users long-term validity. It will be functional both online and offline, allowing Nigerians to use it even in areas with limited internet access.
“The key features of this card are the biometric, based on the fingerprint, which is the only one that is currently unique; the card has a long validity period because it’s also fully KYC enabled; it has offline and online capability, which means in locations where there is limited access to internet, this card will still work and be used for those services that it’s designed to achieve,” Coker-Odusote said.
The card will also support digital payments, acting as a wallet to store banking details and allowing users to make transactions such as cash withdrawals and digital token exchanges.
Additionally, the card will include features that allow users to prove their identity whenever needed. Coker-Odusote also introduced the Government of People (G2P) card, which will help government agencies and private sectors securely verify individuals providing services.
This card is expected to offer Nigerians an affordable and accessible way to prove their identity while also providing them with seamless access to essential services.
The new biometric card is a key part of NIMC‘s efforts to uplift millions of Nigerians out of poverty by enabling easier access to financial and social services.
The commission promises the card will be available at a reasonable cost, ensuring that the majority of Nigerians can benefit from its features.
