Telecom
FG to Roll Out three National ID Cards for 104m Nigerians in June
Federal Government is to launch three new national identity cards in May this year and has a target of providing them for about 104 million citizens across the country.
The three new national identity cards planned by the National Identity Management Commission include a bank-enabled National ID card, a social intervention card, and an optional ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card.
The Technical Adviser, Media, and Communications to the Director-General of NIMC, Ayodele Babalola, who disclosed these in an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday, said Nigerians would start getting the three national ID cards within one or two months of the launch.
He, however, said the launch date (May), was subject to the approval of the Presidency.
Babalola stated, “We expect the bank-enabled National ID to meet the needs of the middle and upper segments who typically use banks within the next one or two months after launch. Also, activation of the National Safety Net Card to meet the urgent needs for authentication and a secure platform for government services such as palliatives within the next one or two months. The focus will be on the 25 million vulnerable Nigerians funded by the current government intervention programmes.”
“Digital/virtual versions of all cards will be available for individuals who prefer digital formats, albeit with limited functionalities. Additionally, ECOWAS cards will be issued on an as-needed basis in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service,” he added.
On Friday, the Identity Commission unveiled plans to launch a multipurpose national identity card. It explained that the identity solution was equipped with payment capability for all types of social and financial services.
According to a statement by NIMC on Friday, this initiative represents a collaborative effort between NIMC, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System. It aims to offer increased options for domestic consumers while fostering the delivery of services in a more innovative, cost-effective, and competitive manner.
During the interview with The PUNCH on Sunday, Babalola explained that the new card would address the need for physical identification by allowing cardholders to prove their identity, gain access to government and private social services, promote financial inclusion for marginalised Nigerians, empower citizens, and encourage greater participation in nation-building initiatives.
He said the commission hoped the cards would be allocated to 104 million eligible applicants on the national identification number database as of the end of December 2023.
He said, “We shall be implementing the following programmes to revive the general multipurpose card issuance; first is the bank-enabled national ID card in collaboration with NIBSS and banks, while the second programme will be a social intervention card under the National Safety Net Card. The third rollout will be an optional ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card.
“We are looking at May for the possible launch but that is also subject to presidential approval. It is just to finalise some very important details. The project will be powered by AfriGo, which is under the central bank but everything stops at the table of the President.”
In January 2023, the CBN launched AfriGo to drive financial inclusion using the card and boost data sovereignty.
AfriGO was birthed in Nigeria with continental aspirations, as ‘AFRI’ means culture, ethnic diversity, bravery, innovation, and growth, while “GO” symbolises progress, empowerment, inclusivity, and future-forward, among others.
This initiative is coming months after the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri, announced plans to collaborate with the National Identity Management Commission to ensure the successful rollout and registration of digital national IDs for all Nigerians.
Chaudhuri at a meeting with the minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the ambitious target was to provide at least 148 million people of working age with a digital national ID by the middle of 2024, marking a significant step towards inclusion and accessibility.
Chaudhuri said, “So one of the main partnerships we have is working with NIMC to ensure the rollout of the registration so that all 213/220million Nigerians have a digital national ID, beginning, of course, with all people of working age and I think the target for that is at least 148 million people by the middle of next year.”
Continuing during the interview on Sunday, Babalola said, “On our part, we have done the needful but we also have to wait for necessary permission. It is going to be three different cards, one would be for the smooth process of palliative distribution and social safety programmes. There will be another one that is bank-enabled and people will have the choice to choose based on their needs. Persons without bank accounts will also be able to use it and persons living with disability.
“The National E-ID card can function as a debit and prepaid card for both banked and unbanked individuals using biometric authentication, such as fingerprint and picture, to aid identity verification. It has offline capability that will allow transactions to be carried out in areas with limited network coverage. Banking details at the back of the card with chip and pin as well as magnetic stripe enabled.
“While the National Safety Net Card will be enabled for identity and used for all government interventions and services across multiple ministries, departments, and agencies. Among other capabilities and functionalities, this card will be enabled for the eNaira in compliance with the operational and security standards and interoperable with the existing payment system.
“The card will be used for all government social programmes including cash transfers, agricultural loans, student loans, health insurance schemes, micro contributions, micro pensions, etc, with a validity period of 10 years and will be issued based on the government programmes and existing social register. This will enable real access through electronic money and not cash and uplift 133 million people out of poverty.”
When our correspondent asked him to provide further explanations, Babalola insisted that the three ID cards would be launched. ‘’Yes, three cards will be launched,” he said.
Efforts to also get the Head of Corporate Communications of NIMC, Kayode Adegoke, proved abortive as he did not respond to calls sent to his phone number.
Cards available June
Babalola said the commission would activate the bank-enabled National ID immediately to meet the needs of the middle and upper segments within the next one to two months after its unveiling.
“We expect the bank-enabled National ID to meet the needs of the middle and upper segments who typically use banks within the next one to two months after launch. Also, activation of the National Safety Net Card to meet the urgent needs for authentication and a secure platform for government services such as palliatives within the next one or two months. The focus will be on the 25 million vulnerable Nigerians funded by the current government intervention programmes.
“Digital/virtual versions of all cards will be available for individuals who prefer digital formats, albeit with limited functionalities. Additionally, ECOWAS cards will be issued on an as-needed basis in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service,” he added.
Highlighting the step-by-step process, the technical assistant said citizens would have to make requests at the bank and NIMC locations to receive the new cards.
“This is an online request self-service portal that allows NIN holders irrespective of their locations (local & international) to initiate a card request and select their preferred card type, bank, and pick-up location.
“A NIN holder will have to approach his desired bank branch and get verified through the NIMC verification service. After a successful verification, the bank staff fills applicant’s details as listed above on the portal. The applicant then pays the required fees to complete the application process,” he said.
Experts react
Reacting, the Chief Executive Officer of Hyperspace, Oluseyi Akindeinde, said the planned initiative was a duplication of efforts and a waste of resources adding that the purpose of the new cards was currently being fulfilled by existing platforms.
He said, “I think it is a duplication of efforts and a waste of resources because we already have the NIN and the BVN and all the things just mentioned can be used via the current means we have. There was a time when the government wanted to print out cards to identify citizens just like driver’s licenses.
“Honestly, we don’t need a physical card, we could have used a digital one that would be on one phone or a number that represents your full details. We already have driver’s licenses, international passports, permanent voter cards, and the like and I don’t think we need three extra cards right now.
“These cards are not what we need right now and those resources could be better put to use. We already have these things, almost everyone has a bank account and a debit card but creating another one for palliative or identity is not needed in my opinion and I am not sure of the purpose it is going to serve for citizens.
Another IT expert, Chucks Jerahmeel, expressed his reservation about the expansive database needed to fulfill such programmes.
He said, “I think that is a very welcome development but I don’t think we have the technological capacity to effectively implement such. On the card that would enable people to transact, there should be an expansive database to implement that initiative. Secondly, our cyber framework is not the best and we don’t seem to care about data and privacy even though, some strategic progress has been made.
“There are other things the government has to put in place if they want to implement this effectively such as privacy protection and other compliance protocol regulations.”
The new development is not the first plan initiated by the government to issue new identity cards for the convenience of Nigerians.
In 2006, Chams, an indigenous company was invited by the Federal Government to bid for the National ID project for which it competed and emerged as the preferred bidder for the national ID concession.
Upon the execution of the concession agreement with the NIMC, Chams said it pursued the implementation of the concession by incorporating Chams Consortium Limited, a special-purpose vehicle with the sole aim of implementing the NIC concession.
But the project hit a brick wall after Mastercard, one technical partner on the concession was accused of colluding with others using technical information and design shared with them by Chams to frustrate the concession won by Chams and more than $100m Chams/CCL invested in the project.
In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, the founder of Chams Plc, Demola Aladekomo, said his company got into a debt of N11bn due to the failed project.
In 2020, the former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, announced an imminent plan to replace the current plastic national identity card with a more seamless digital process to be domiciled in the NIMC for convenience purposes.
Credit: Punch
WhatsApp has announced the commencement of global reservations for usernames, a new privacy-focused feature designed to allow users connect without sharing their phone numbers.
The Meta-owned messaging platform said the rollout of username reservations began on Monday, June 29, enabling users to reserve their preferred usernames ahead of the feature’s full in-app launch later this year.
According to the company, users will receive notifications within the app once the reservation option becomes available to them.
WhatsApp said the new feature is intended to strengthen user privacy by giving people an alternative way to communicate without revealing their phone numbers, particularly when interacting with new contacts or participating in group conversations.
It explained that unlike social media platforms, WhatsApp usernames are not designed for public discovery, noting that there will be no searchable directory or username suggestions.
The company said users would need to know a person’s exact username before they can initiate contact for the first time.
“Sometimes you just want to chat without handing over your digits,” WhatsApp said, adding that the feature would be useful in situations such as joining community or school groups where users may not wish to immediately disclose their phone numbers.
To enhance security, the platform is also introducing an optional username key, which will require anyone contacting a user for the first time through their username to enter an additional unique key.
WhatsApp said the extra verification layer is designed to provide greater control over who can initiate conversations.
The company noted that with more than three billion users worldwide, it decided to open username reservations ahead of the full rollout to give users an opportunity to secure their preferred usernames before the feature becomes widely available.
To assist users who may have difficulty selecting unique usernames, WhatsApp said it has developed a username generator capable of suggesting available options.
The company also disclosed that creators, small businesses and organisations would have the option of claiming the same usernames they already use on Instagram or Facebook, helping them maintain a consistent online identity across Meta platforms.
According to WhatsApp, once the feature becomes fully available, users who choose to enable usernames will no longer have their phone numbers displayed when they initiate conversations with people or businesses for the first time.
The company said reserving a username will take only a few seconds through the latest version of the application by navigating to Settings, then Account, and Username.
WhatsApp said the feature would be rolled out gradually across countries over the coming months, with users receiving notifications when it becomes available in their respective regions.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been ranked among the top three best-performing Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government in the 2026 Public Service Reforms Performance Assessment conducted by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR).
L-R: Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Dr. Abubakar Ibrahim Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Office of the Secretary General to the Government of the Federation during the Nigerian Public Service Award and Gala Night where NCC recieved the award for 3rd Best Performing MDA at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja on the 23rd June, 2026.
In the latest Public Service Reforms Performance Assessment, the Commission was ranked third overall, following a comprehensive evaluation across key reform indicators, including the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT), Freedom of Information (FOI) Compliance Score, Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Index, and official website performance metrics.
In the ranking, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) came first and second, respectively.
The institutional ranking, conducted across all MDAs of the Federal Government, recognises MDAs that have distinguished themselves in advancing public service reforms and delivering excellence in service.
Aside from the institutional awards, 20 individuals across federal, state and local levels received various distinguished public service excellence and leadership awards, for their sterling performance in public service, including the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Mrs. Adejoke Adefulire, among others.
Representing the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, at the award ceremony on Tuesday in Abuja, the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, spoke on behalf of the NCC and other awardees present, expressing appreciation to the Bureau for sustaining the annual assessment framework.
“First; on behalf of all awardees, and second, on behalf of the Board, Management, and staff of the Nigerian Communications Commission, we thank the Bureau for these recognitions. For us at NCC, this recognition acknowledges our ongoing reform efforts and underscores the need to sustain them,” he stated.
He stated that the BPSR recognition served as a motivation for MDAs to strengthen their commitment to service delivery, noting that, for the NCC, the award also served as an affirmation that its reforms aimed at improving transparency and accountability in the sector were yielding greater public acceptance and positive recognition.
“For our telecommunications consumers, this recognition reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen service quality, transparency, and responsiveness across the sector.
“The assessment outcome also reinforces the importance of maintaining standards that support improved customer experience and greater confidence in telecom services nationwide,” he said.
Oshadami restated the Commission’s commitment to applying regulatory tools and innovative approaches towards supporting measurable improvements in service quality and consumer protection across Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
The Commission has, over the past two years, introduced far-reaching reforms to promote transparency and accountability in the telecommunications sector.
These include the introduction of the National Coverage Map, which provides near real-time information on the performance and availability of operators’ networks across the country, as well as the publication of Quarterly Network Performance Reports, which provide detailed assessments of network performance nationwide.
Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have also been directed to simplify the communication of their tariffs in a manner that is clear and easy for consumers to understand.
In addition, operators are required to comply with the updated Corporate Governance Guidelines, which emphasise stronger corporate accountability and improved operational performance.
The Commission has also placed significant emphasis on the proactive publication of clear, comprehensive, and timely data on industry activities to keep the public well informed and enhance accountability across the telecommunications sector.
In his remarks, the Director-General of BPSR, Mr. Dasuki Arabi, commended all participating MDAs – particularly the top performers for 2026 broader assessment- for their efforts toward transparency, accountability, and open governance. He noted that these values reflect consistency with established public service standards.
“This annual event, which begins with a public lecture and concludes with an award ceremony, marks the commemoration of the United Nations Public Service Day.
“It also highlights the role of the Nigeria Public Service Lecture Series and Awards as a platform for recognising MDAs that have demonstrated strong performance in reform implementation and service delivery,” he said.
The NCC was ranked the second-best-performing Federal Government agency in the 2025 website performance assessment by the BPSR.
This year’s evaluation was an expanded one, touching not only on official website performance metrics, but also on other parameters such as SAT, FOI Compliance Score, Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Index.
Telecom
Womenovate, MTN Foundation Lead Charge for Inclusive Tech at Women in Technology and Engineering Summit
MTN Foundation, in a strategic partnership with Womenovate, officially kicked off the fifth edition of the Women in Technology and Engineering Summit (WITESA) at the MUSON Centre, Lagos, on June 23, 2026.
The summit, themed, “Engineering Africa’s future: Innovation, Infrastructure, and inclusive technology”, was designed to dismantle barriers for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Mathematics (STEAM) fields.
The summit serves as a call to action for corporate stakeholders, policymakers, and industry leaders to cultivate a more equitable digital ecosystem for female-led innovations. As a key sponsor, the MTN Foundation reinforced its commitment to nurturing future talent by integrating female students into the summit where they engaged directly with industry experts and gained exposure to emerging technologies.
The Lagos State Government, recognising the importance of initiatives like WITESA, highlighted the need for inclusive policy frameworks. Representing the Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Honourable Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Olatunbosun Alake, noted that the summit aligns perfectly with the state’s vision for growth. “Innovation and infrastructure alone are not enough; they must be inclusive,” Hon. Alake remarked.
“Initiatives such as WITESA are important. They provide the visibility, mentorship, and recognition that inspire young women to pursue careers in engineering, technology, artificial intelligence, data science, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and other emerging sectors.”
Speaking on the company’s commitment to gender equity, the General Manager of Enterprise Marketing at MTN Nigeria, Njideka Jack, highlighted the telecom giant’s data-driven approach to social impact. “MTN is intentional in closing the digital gender gap. With a 41.4% female workforce and 46.4% female representation in executive positions, alongside our matching fund and the empowerment of 5,754 Y’ellopreneurs, we are proud of our journey in empowering women,” she stated.
Jack emphasised that MTN’s focus remains firm, adding, “We are represented at the intersection of innovation, infrastructure, and inclusive technology, and our presence here today reflects our dedication to creating sustainable pathways for women in tech.”
The event concluded on June 24 with an award ceremony celebrating trailblazers who have made significant contributions to scientific and technological advancement in Nigeria.
The ceremony honoured distinguished leaders, including Bukola Ajayi, Chief Information Officer of MTN Nigeria; Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of Access Holdings Plc and Coronation Group; Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho, CEO of Future Software Resources Limited; and Ude Enebeli, Acting Chief Information Officer of MTN Cameroon, among other industry luminaries.
Motunrayo Opayinka, CEO of Womenovate and the convener of the summit, expressed that these awards are critical to normalising women’s contributions in high-impact technical fields. “This award is a celebration of those whose vision and dedication are rewriting the narrative of African technology,” Opayinka said.
“By recognising these leaders, we are inspiring a new generation to see themselves as the architects of Africa’s future.”
The summit marked a significant step forward in the conversation around digital inclusion, translating high-level dialogue into a concrete roadmap for policy and practice. By leveraging the combined strengths of its sponsors and adopting a community-driven approach, Womenovate established a new benchmark for corporate responsibility within Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.
The event concluded with an award ceremony celebrating industry leaders and trailblazers, reinforcing a shared vision where innovation, infrastructure, and inclusivity serve as key drivers of Africa’s technological future.
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