In two months, Nigerians will start using the new three-in-one identity card, confirmed by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). This card combines identity, financial, and social services, and will be available nationwide by August this year.
A senior member of the implementation team, who requested anonymity, shared this update in an exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH on Friday. The official mentioned that the commission has been diligently working to meet its targets, and the project is on track for launch in the coming months.
The official revealed that the commission has entered the testing and deployment phase. “We initially aimed for a July launch, but there have been some delays. We are still hopeful for a July to August timeframe,” he stated. “Any changes to the timeline will be communicated to the public.”
Deploying the new technology involves significant work, including configuring the card, enabling outlets, and activating the wallet. “Testing is ongoing,” the official added. “We need to ensure the portal for accessing the service is scalable. Banks also need to integrate their systems to support the card.”
On April 5, 2024, the NIMC announced the launch of this new card, which features payment capabilities and social service functions, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System. The initiative aims to offer more options for domestic consumers and enhance service delivery in an innovative, cost-effective, and competitive manner.
The identity cards will include a bank-enabled National ID card, a social intervention card, and an optional ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card.
