NIMC Set to Revolutionize Identity Management with Innovative e-ID Card
Oru Leonard
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), is gearing up to launch a groundbreaking e-ID card system with integrated payment and social security features by the first quarter of 2025. This initiative aims to empower Nigerians and legal residents to securely participate in the growing digital economy.
The new e-ID card, under the General Multi-Purpose Card (GMPC) scheme, offers multiple variants to address various use cases, including:
– Payments: Functions as a debit or prepaid card, supporting cashless transactions at ATMs, POS terminals, online merchants, and via contactless payments.
– Government-to-People (G2P) Programs: Enables direct disbursement of government interventions, including palliatives, grants, and transportation subsidies.
– Social and Financial Inclusion: Special features cater to vulnerable populations, including senior citizens and the unbanked.
– Cross-Border Capabilities: Integrates with ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Travel Card (ENBIC) in collaboration with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
The e-ID card offers unparalleled advantages for users, including secure and verifiable digital and physical identity, access to social and financial services, and capability to conduct transactions in areas with limited network coverage using offline functionality.
The scheme will also deliver significant benefits for the government, including reducing financial exclusion, enhancing the digital economy, streamlining service delivery, and providing a direct and interoperable platform for government services.
With a roll-out planned for Q1 2025, NIMC is poised to revolutionize the way Nigerians access services and participate in the digital economy.