Nigerians to begin using three-in-one ID card August

It noted that the single multifunctional card, which combines numerous functions of identity, banking, and social services, will be available to individuals throughout the country by August this year.

A high-ranking member of the implementation team, who wanted not to be identified, revealed this yesterday in an interview.

The official stated that the commission had been working relentlessly to fulfil its objectives, and that the plan was still on track and will be implemented in the coming months.

He also mentioned that the commission has started the testing and deployment process.

The official said, “We actually plan for July although there have been a few delays but we are still hopeful that it would come in July. So we are hoping to get it done between July and August. We are still on plan and if there is any shift, the public will know.”

The official added, “When you are deploying a new technology, there is a lot of work to be done, you need to configure the card, enable the outlet, and enable the wallet to work. We also have to do tests and that is what is ongoing.

“The deployment is ongoing, the portal that people need to access the service has to be deployed, and we have to make sure that it is scaleable and those are the ongoing works.

“There are integrations that all the banks need to do to enable the card and all of those little details are ongoing. We have that target and we are working extra hard to make sure that we achieve that.”

Recall that the NIMC, on Friday, April 5, 2024, announced the launch of a new card layered with payment and social service functions in conjunction with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System.

It noted that the identity solution included payment capabilities and features for all social and financial services.

According to a statement, the initiative is a collaborative effort to provide more options for domestic consumers while also encouraging service delivery that is more innovative, cost-effective, and competitive.

The identity cards will consist of a bank-enabled National ID card, a social intervention card, and an optional ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card.