The Federal Government, through the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has reaffirmed its commitment to launching the upgraded National Identity Card, known as the General Multipurpose Card (GMPC), later this year.
In a statement, the agency described the new card as a single, convenient solution that eliminates the need for carrying multiple cards.
It wrote “The innovative card made in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS), is to be powered by AfriGO, a National domestic card scheme licensed by the CBN to provide cost-effective and transparent card payments.”
Currently, the 26 commercial and microfinance banks are issuing the AfriGo cards in the country.
According to NIMC, the innovation will address the demand for physical identification enabling cardholders to prove their identity, and access government and private social services.
On the voters’ card, the commission says several meetings with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are ongoing to see how a merger is visible for just one card.