By Rosheedat Akinkunle, JKNewsMedia Reporter
NIGERIA’s PERSISTENT need for seamless identity verification and improved access to government and private sector services has led to the unveiling of an advanced multi-purpose biometric identity card by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
The new card, announced in Abuja during a media briefing, promises to address social and economic challenges through its innovative features.
NIMC’s Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, highlighted the card’s unique capabilities, including a long validity period, fingerprint-based biometric verification, and offline functionality for areas with limited internet access.
“This card has both offline and online capability, ensuring access to services regardless of location. It supports cashless payments, digital tokens, wallets, and even includes banking details, offering a comprehensive solution for identity and financial transactions,” she explained.
The card’s secondary programme, referred to as the Government of People card (G2P), will enhance secure and verifiable identification for individuals accessing services provided by government and private organisations.
Coker-Odusote emphasised the importance of this functionality in bridging gaps in service delivery.
Designed to help uplift 133 million Nigerians from poverty, the card aims to facilitate interventions across healthcare, education, and other essential sectors.
Its affordability and accessibility are priorities for NIMC, ensuring the card reaches as many Nigerians as possible.
“The back of the card offers additional functionalities, enabling users to prove their identity securely at any time. This aligns with our goal to provide a versatile solution for identity and financial inclusion,” she added.
She added that conclusively, the new biometric card is expected to streamline service delivery and improve the living standards of millions across the country, noting its rollout signifies a crucial step toward a more inclusive and digitally enabled Nigeria.
