In two months, Nigerians will begin using the new three-in-one identity card, as confirmed by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
This multipurpose card, which integrates identity verification, financial transactions, and social services, will be available nationwide by August.
A senior member of the implementation team, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared this update in an exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH.
The official emphasized that the commission has been diligently working to meet its objectives, and the launch remains on schedule for the coming months. The testing and deployment phases are already underway.
“We aimed for a July rollout, though there have been some delays. We are optimistic about achieving this between July and August. If there are any changes, we will inform the public,” the official said.
They added, “Deploying new technology involves significant work, such as configuring the card, enabling outlets, and activating wallets. We are currently conducting tests.”
“The deployment process is ongoing. We must ensure the portal is accessible and scalable. Additionally, banks need to integrate their systems to enable the card’s functionality,” the official continued. “We are working hard to meet our target.”
On April 5, 2024, the NIMC announced the launch of a new card with payment capabilities and social service features, developed in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System. This card is designed to facilitate a wide range of social and financial services.
According to a statement from the commission, this initiative aims to provide more options for domestic consumers and enhance service delivery in an innovative, cost-effective, and competitive way. The identity cards will feature a bank-enabled National ID card, a social intervention card, and an optional ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card.