The Federal Government of Nigeria through the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has announced key details of Nigeria’s new General Multipurpose National Identity Card (GMPC) an innovative card designed to consolidate identification documents, improve financial accessibility, and streamline government and private sector services for Nigerian citizens.
This was revealed in a statement made available on X, formerly Twitter via NOA’s account.
According to the statement, The GMPC will serve as a comprehensive form of identification, replacing multiple identity documents and simplifying access to services. It read,
“The GMPC will serve multiple purposes, combining several existing cards into one. This new card will eliminate the need for citizens to carry multiple forms of identification, making it more convenient for everyday use.”
The agency further revealed that in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), the GMPC will allow users to conduct financial transactions directly through the card.
Also, the GMPC will operate under the AFRIGO card scheme, Nigeria’s domestic payment system, promoting the use of locally developed financial infrastructure.
Additionally, the card will include a Machine-Readable Zone (MRZ) conforming to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, biometric authentication, and offline capability for transactions in areas with limited network coverage.
Addressing the eligibility criteria for obtaining the GMPC, NOA outlined basic requirements stating that, citizens and legal residents must have a National Identification Number (NIN) and make applications online, at NIMC offices, commercial banks, or participating agencies and agents.
It said, “With these guidelines, the new GMPC seeks to provide citizens with a more efficient and versatile means of identification while improving access to financial and government services.”
The NOA has urged all eligible citizens to take advantage of this initiative, which aims to enhance financial inclusion, empower citizens, and encourage participation in nation-building.
