The National Identity Management Commission NIMC, is responsible for issuing out National ID Cards for Nigerians.
Established by the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, the NIMC has the mandate to establish, own, operate, maintain and manage the National Identity Database in Nigeria, register persons covered by the Act, assign a Unique National Identification Number (NIN) and issue General Multi-Purpose Cards (GMPC) to those.
Many Nigerians have successfully received their National ID Cards, however, only a few care to more about their ID Cards. Obviously, the ID Card looks like an ATM Card, and in reality, it is a MasterCard which can be used worldwide to withdraw money from any ATM, irrespective of the country you are in.
In addition, the Nigerian government has also said that the National ID Card may be used as Visa acceptable by some countries. But that is a topic for another day because today, I will be discussing on the use of the National ID Card as ATM Cards, used to withdraw money from any bank in any country.
Access Bank of Nigeria is the sole bank currently powering the National Id Card. Below are the steps on how to load your National ID Card (MasterCard)
1. Visit any Access Bank branch with your card
2. Complete a deposit slip with the required information
3. Your card will be credited instantly with the value of cash paid
For cash payment where Card is not available
1. Visit any Access Bank branch with your card
2. Ensure you have the 16 digit card number information
3. Complete a deposit slip with the required information
4. The card will be credited with the value of cash paid
Before funding your Master Card, you need to activate it the same way you activated your normal ATM Cards issued to you from your respective banks. However, I activated mine (my National ID Card) at the point of collection. But just in case you have not done that yet and you wish to, you can follow the steps below on how to do that;
1. First, activate your card by selecting a 4-digit PIN using the POS terminal at the NIMC center or any Access Bank Branch
2. Next, visit any Access Bank ATM and insert your card. Go to the PIN change menu then select I-PIN on the display.
3. Select any 4- digits PIN of your choice and confirm on the ATM
4. A ”PIN Change Successful” message is displayed
5. When shopping online and MasterCard SecureCode is required, please provide the 4 – digits I-PIN