The federal government of Nigeria has unveiled its plan to initiate three new national identity cards in May 2024 for about 104 million citizens across the country.
The three newly planned national identity cards planned by the National Identity Management Commission include:
- A bank-enabled National ID card.
- A social intervention card.
- An optional ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card.
This was disclosed by the Technical Adviser, Media, and Communications to the Director-General of NIMC, Ayodele Babalola, in an interview where he mentioned that the identity cards will be available within one or two months of the launch.
The bank-enabled National ID is expected to meet the needs of the middle and upper class, who will visit banks within the months after launch.
Also, the National Safety Net Card will provide a secure platform for government services such as palliative cash transfers, agricultural loans, student loans, health insurance schemes, micro contributions, and micro pens, ions in the n, following two months.
According to Ayodele Babalola, the 25 million vulnerable Nigerians funded by the current government intervention programs are at the forefront of the initiatives.
He further said digital or virtual versions of all cards will be available for individuals who prefer digital formats. Additionally, ECOWAS will collaborate with the Nigerian Immigration Services to provide cards based on need.
In line with this, the Identity Commission unveiled plans to launch a multipurpose national identity card to aid social and financial services.
The Technical Adviser, Media, and Communications to the Director-General of NIMC, Ayodele Babalola, in an interview on Sunday, April 7, 2024, listed the advantages of the cards. Some of these include
- Serving as an identity
- Providing access to government and private social services
- Promoting financial inclusion
- Empowering and encouraging citizens to participate in nation-building initiatives.
However, the planned launching of the cards has raised issues among Nigerians and is considered a wasted effort.
Speaking with the Chief Executive Officer of Hyperspace, Oluseyi Akindeinde, he suggested a digital card that could be accessible on mobile phones and other digital technology. He considered the new cards replicas and duplicates of the NIN, Passport, and driver’s license, among other physical cards.
