Nigerian ATM cards now serve as national IDs
Nigerians can now use their ATM cards as multipurpose identification cards, combining banking services and national identity verification. The Federal Government has granted permission to commercial banks in the country to issue these innovative cards, eliminating the need for carrying separate identification and banking cards.
The decision aims to streamline the identification process and promote financial inclusion. By collaborating with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and leveraging the existing infrastructure of commercial banks, the government seeks to simplify the lives of its citizens.
This development offers numerous benefits. Individuals will no longer need to carry multiple cards, reducing the risk of losing important documents. The consolidation of services into a single card enhances convenience and offers a seamless experience for banking and identification needs.
One significant advantage is the elimination of financial burdens associated with obtaining physical National Identity Number (NIN) cards. The multipurpose cards are issued at no cost, ensuring accessibility for all Nigerians.
The Federal Executive Council, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, approved the decision for a smooth implementation. Professor Isa Pantami, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, highlighted that the multipurpose cards integrate ATM functions from major providers like Mastercard and Visa, serving as both national identity cards and bank cards.
To protect privacy, the NIMC and the Central Bank of Nigeria signed a nondisclosure agreement, securing citizens’ personal information. Banks connect to the NIMC database for verification, and once complete, the cards are immediately printed and issued.
This move demonstrates the government’s commitment to embracing technology to improve efficiency. The integration of the NIN database with individual SIM cards has also been approved, simplifying the process and enhancing policy implementation.
The introduction of multipurpose cards simplifies identification and banking processes for Nigerians. Nigeria enters a new era of convenience, security, and efficiency, promoting financial inclusion for all citizens.
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