The National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, has announced the rollout of a revamped national identity card system, designed to enhance identification, simplify access to government services, and empower Nigerians with greater control over their personal data.
The Director General of NIMC, Engr. Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, detailed the commission’s strategic transformation over the past 20 months while addressing the press in Abuja.
Central to this transformation is the introduction of a new General Multipurpose Card, GMPC, a secure, digitally enabled ID card that can authenticate individuals both online and offline.
“This card goes beyond the traditional identity role. It allows real-time verification and is embedded with features that enable financial transactions, access to student loans, social intervention programs, and other government benefits,” the DG said.
Notably, the card is now being expanded beyond a single-bank restriction to support issuance and usage across all Nigerian banks.
To increase accessibility, NIMC has introduced multiple channels for requesting the card, including an online portal, NIMC offices, and bank branches.
The card also has a non-printable digital version users can download it directly to their devices, making it tamper-proof and portable.
Dr. Peter, Director in charge of cards at NIMC, highlighted that the new cards will particularly benefit rural dwellers and farmers.
A pilot enrolment of 2–3 million farmers is underway in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, aiming to use the cards for direct disbursement of government interventions.
The commission is also collaborating with the student loan scheme and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to ensure funds go directly to verified beneficiaries.
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The DG emphasized the need for identity verification in eliminating fraud, improving governance, and driving inclusion: “Your NIN will now allow you access to social services, student loans, credit facilities, and more—with a single, verifiable identity source.”
Beyond cards, NIMC is upgrading its backend infrastructure. The verification system has improved from a 15-second delay to sub-one-second real-time checks, with 99.9% uptime. Over 120 million Nigerians have now been enrolled in the NIN database, with expansion efforts reaching grassroots communities.
The commission also launched the **NIMC Mobile ID App, NINAuth, enabling users to manage and share their data securely, protecting against data breaches and identity theft.
As part of internal reforms, NIMC has trained over 1,000 staff nationwide, expanded its contact center to 50 seats, deployed over 1,000 enrolment devices, and reduced internal corruption by 40%.
Dr. Coker-Odusote concluded, “This revolution is about putting identity—and power—back in the hands of every Nigerian.”
Crediblenewng.com
