NIMC to Launch New Digital Identity Card in October 2025, Targets Financial Inclusion
Oru Leonard
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) is set to roll out a new and improved general-purpose digital identity card by October 2025, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem. This was revealed during a two-day media roundtable with online publishers and journalists, organized by NIMC to foster trust and collaboration in digital identity discourse.
Speaking during a special media interview at the event, Dr. Alvan Ikoku, the Director of the Special Project Office who represented the Director-General/CEO of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, clarified that the Commission is introducing a revamped General Multi-Purpose Card (GMPC), which will serve as a token of identity and a tool for accessing various government and private sector services.
“The core digital identity, the National Identification Number (NIN), has always been active,” Dr. Ikoku stated. “However, the general multi-purpose card suffered setbacks due to sustainability issues. With this October rollout, we are not just relaunching it we are transforming it into a powerful enabler for inclusion, finance, and access.”
Dr. Ikoku hinted at some critical capabilities, which include embedded wallets for government subsidies, support for farmers and credit schemes, and direct benefit transfers to verified individuals.
“It’s not just about identification,” he added. “This card can help a farmer receive input support, a student get scholarship credits, or a citizen receive social protection funds.”
The card will be available at banks and through key government partner agencies, such as the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. While not mandatory, it complements the mandatory NIN and will be necessary for certain services in banking, telecoms, and government transactions. More details will be available at the official unveiling of the card.
Non-Nigerians, particularly legal residents, are also eligible to receive a version of the card, though it does not confer citizenship.
Acknowledging public concerns, Dr. Ikoku confirmed that the card will come at a cost but one that is affordable and inclusive. “Yes, there are infrastructural and maintenance costs, but this is not about revenue generation. It’s about service delivery and national development,” he assured.
The requirements for obtaining the card are minimal: possession of a valid NIN and completion of a straightforward verification process.
NIMC’s Head of Software and Biometrics, Mr. Olushola Amurawaiye, presented a technical overview of the Commission’s ongoing infrastructural overhaul, which aims to boost performance, security, and reliability.
Key highlights of the overhaul include:
Distributed high-availability systems for faster ID issuance and verification
Strengthened cybersecurity frameworks including firewalls, encryption, and multi-factor authentication
Expanded self-service platforms for rural, diaspora, and mobile users
Integration with national economic initiatives and ease of doing business strategies
Enhanced data integrity through robust validation and anti-fraud tools
This upgrade is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government, aiming to position Nigeria’s identity system as a strategic lever for digital transformation.
