In a recent update shared by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre, the Presidency outlined the key benefits of the forthcoming multipurpose National ID card from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
The soon-to-be-launched card aims to bring better access to essential services, such as financial inclusion, government interventions, and job applications, providing Nigerians with a simplified, reliable identification system.
One advantage of the new ID card is its potential to drive financial inclusion. With over 100 million Nigerians currently excluded from the formal banking system, the new card will bring a good portion of the population into the fold.
It will serve as a gateway for Nigerians to open bank accounts, access credit facilities, and request either debit or credit cards, with the added benefit of building a verifiable credit score. This development will make it easier for citizens to secure loans from both government and private financial institutions.
This innovation is backed by a partnership between NIMC and the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP), which will work together to establish reliable credit scores for all Nigerians who have registered their National Identification Number (NIN).
The integration of credit scores with the NIN will simplify access to loans and other financial services, greatly easing financial transactions for many Nigerians.
Again, the new National ID card will be a mandatory requirement for applying for jobs in both government and private sectors. This step aims to ensure that employers can confidently verify the identity of job applicants, giving them a clear and accurate view of an individual’s background.
With the NIN card serving as an official identification, this process will help eliminate fraud and ensure greater transparency in hiring practices.
The ID card will also simplify a range of administrative functions. It will be accepted as a valid form of identification for essential services, such as voter registration and passport applications.
The simplicity of presenting a single card for these services will save time and reduce bureaucracy, ensuring that Nigerians can access services without unnecessary delays.
Added to these, the NIN card will help in the distribution of government interventions, helping to ensure that only eligible citizens receive social benefits.
As part of the government’s vision to reduce corruption and improve transparency, the card will provide a secure means for accessing various government services across multiple Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Developed in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), the National ID card will also be compatible with Nigeria’s digital currency, the eNaira.
This will allow cardholders to make digital transactions securely, further integrating the ID card into the nation’s growing financial ecosystem.
Dr. Peter Iwegbu, head of Card Management Services at NIMC, confirmed that the distribution of the new cards will begin shortly, with plans in place for decentralised access through banks nationwide.
Nigerians will be able to request and collect their cards at local bank branches, and the NIMC will ensure that the pricing remains consistent across institutions.
This initiative is expected to increase transparency, reduce fraud, and promote financial inclusion.
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