The federal government has declared the introduction of the much-awaited multi-purpose national payment card as one of the major policies that would shape the country in 2025.
With an estimated 40 million population financially excluded, the government has touted the card as a solution.
The introduction of the card, which has faced several delays, is set to help the government and its citizens streamline easy access to payment solutions in improving financial inclusion; access to government services, social intervention and digital identification.
Nigeria started the mainstreaming of its national database in 2014 with the issuance of the National Identity Number (NIN), which collates all individuals’ biometric and demographic identity data into one secure, digitally accessible number and has captured 110 million citizens by September 2024.
While the NIN was produced with a temporary paper slip, the government has over the years struggled to provide permanent cards for citizens to carry along with them.
Ten years down the line, the government through the Nigerian Identity Management Agency (NIMC) announced plans to launch a permanent ID for citizens that have enrolled on the NIN.
