The Federal Government, through the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), is set to launch a multi-purpose biometric identity card aimed at streamlining identification and enhancing social and economic inclusion across the country.
The Director General/CEO of NIMC, Dr. Abisoye Odusote disclosed on Friday in Abuja that the Commission has successfully enrolled 115 million Nigerians in its ongoing registration exercise.
Card Features and Capabilities
The new card incorporates cutting-edge biometric technology, including fingerprint identification for secure and unique authentication.has both online and offline capabilities, ensuring functionality in areas with limited internet access.
The card also includes features like a digital wallet, email integration, and banking details embedded in its chip, enabling users to perform various financial transactions.“
The biometric NIN-enabled card facilitates social, economic, and financial inclusion in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Dr. Odusote stated.
She highlighted that the card offers three core functions: personal identification, access to government services, and seamless financial transactions.
The card also addresses the need for secure identification in government intervention programs.
A secondary initiative, the “Government of People (G2P)” program, will allow government agencies and private sectors to identify service beneficiaries in a secure and verifiable manner.
Benefits for Citizens and the Economy
The card is expected to uplift 133 million Nigerians out of poverty by facilitating access to financial systems and government services.“
It ensures instant identification, supports financial inclusion, and provides a platform for economic empowerment,” Odusote explained.
For the government, the initiative promises to enhance Nigeria’s digital economy by bringing more people into the financial and social inclusion fold.It also provides a reliable tool for tracking and verifying individuals, simplifying service delivery.