In two months, Nigerians will begin utilizing the proposed three-in-one identity card, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has confirmed.
The single multipurpose card, combining identity, financial, and social services, will be available to citizens nationwide by August this year.
A high-ranking member of the implementation team, who requested anonymity, disclosed the new information during an exclusive interview on Friday.
The official stated that the commission has been working tirelessly to meet its goals, adding that the plan remains on track for a launch in the upcoming months. He also revealed that the commission has begun the testing and deployment stage.
“We actually planned for July, although there have been a few delays, but we are still hopeful for a July launch. We aim to get it done between July and August. We are still on track, and if there is any shift, the public will be informed,” the official said.
He added, “Deploying a new technology involves a lot of work, including configuring the card, enabling the outlets, and setting up the wallet. We also have to conduct tests, which are ongoing. The deployment is in progress, the portal for accessing the service must be deployed, and we need to ensure scalability.”
“There are integrations that all banks need to perform to enable the card, and those details are being addressed. We have a target and are working extra hard to achieve it,” the official continued.
On Friday, April 5, 2024, the NIMC announced the launch of a new card layered with payment capabilities and social service features in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System.
The NIMC explained that the identity solution includes payment capabilities for all types of social and financial services. According to a statement, the initiative represents a collaborative effort to offer increased options for domestic consumers while fostering innovative, cost-effective, and competitive service delivery.
The identity cards will include a bank-enabled National ID card, a social intervention card, and an optional ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card.
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