5 simple steps to take to successfully apply for the NIMC’s multipurpose ID card

The new National ID is to contain personal details and perform multiple functions like identity verification, payments, and even government services.

In collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Federal Government annouced the introduction of a new innovative national card.

The NIMC said in its statement, that the new card is designed to cater for both banked and unbanked individuals, and will have digital features which include date of birth, nationality, address, gender, height and so on, via a smart chip.

The card, which contains a smart chip (just like that on atm cards) will also have both the EMV and NQR payment features. This basically means holders of the new cards can use them for payments.

Also, the card which is multifunctional, can be used for identity verification, payments, and even government services.

How do you apply for the NIMC’s multipurpose ID card?

NIMC has outlined five processes an interested citizen can undergo to acquire the card;

1. First, you have to request the payment card at the nearest bank or bank-approved centre.
2. Then you provide your NIN for identity verification and proof of minimum age of 18 years.
3. The bank receives a confirmation by sending the NIN to NIMC. The relevant authorised identity data is sent in the specified format.
4. The bank uses the verified identity data to securely prepare the standard EMV data for the card before personalising and printing are done by a partner bureau.
5. The bank then issues the finished card to you, and you now become a cardholder.

Does the card expire?

The NIMC further stated that the new card has two main functions; as an ID and as a payment device. The first part (ID feature) will not have an expiry date, but will only be given an issued date which would be printed behind the card.

The payment feature, however, will come with the standard expiry date (which comes with every issued atm card) printed on the front of the card.

Once the card expires, users have been advised to go to their banks and request for a new one or continue to use the card as a valid ID and not for payments.

Prospective users have been warned to not give out the details of the card to anyone or any photocopied or scanned copies bearing their sensitive payment details to unauthorized parties. This can be an avenue for fraudsters to steal funds from unsuspecting victims’ accounts.