Africa Business News

The Federal Government is to launch three new national identity cards in May this year and has a target of providing them for about 104 million citizens across the country. The three new national identity cards planned by the National Identity Management Commission include a bank-enabled National ID card, a social intervention card, and an optional ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card. The Technical Adviser, Media, and Communications to the Director-General of NIMC, Ayodele Babalola, says Nigerians would start getting the three national ID cards within one or two months of the launch. He added that Digital/virtual versions of all cards will be available for individuals who prefer digital formats, albeit with limited functionalities. Additionally, ECOWAS cards will be issued on an as-needed basis in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service.