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FG approves banks to issue NIN Card to Nigerians

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Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami

FG approves banks to issue NIN Card to Nigerians

The Federal Government says Nigerians can now request their commercial banks to issue them with a debit card which doubles as their National Identity Card at no extra cost.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami, who disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja, said the approval was obtained at the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The meeting was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He explained that the approval followed a memo from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) allowing banks to print a multipurpose debit cards that double as National identity cards.

He said: ”It is going to be a form of multipurpose card where it will serve as your national identity card on one hand and also your bank card on the other hand, either Mastercard, Visa or any other kind of card.”

According to Pantami, although the NIMC Act 2007 only mandates Nigerians to have a National Identity Number and not necessarily a printout card, demands for cards have swelled nonetheless.

“As in the NIMC Act 2007, section 27, what is mandatory for our citizens and legal residents is the acquiring of the National Identity Number, not the card. However, the card is optional.

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“But many citizens, particularly those living in rural communities, always go to NIMC offices complaining that they need the card at hand, even though it’s optional.

“To make it easier, NIMC last year, we introduced a smart ID card you can download from NIMC app. It is just a smart card. You don’t need to have it physically, but that is becoming difficult for our people living in rural communities.”

To ease the difficulty, Pantami said NIMC had partnered with the Central Bank of Nigeria ”so that citizens who are interested in having a card at hand can easily go to the relevant banks.”

According to him, the bank is permitted to print the card along with either Mastercard or Visa card.

”It is going to be a form of multipurpose card that will serve as your national identity card on one hand and also your bank card on the other. And based on the agreement, it is without any additional costs on our citizens.

“So when you apply for a card at your bank, you can indicate that ‘I want this card to be multiple purpose where it will serve as my bank card and also my national identity card’.

”Both of them are going to be printed on the same card and it is going to serve the same purposes without any additional costs,”

The Minister disclosed that NIMC and the CBN signed a nondisclosure agreement to protect the privacy and confidentiality of card applicants.

“NIMC and the central bank signed a nondisclosure agreement where your privacy and your confidentiality must be respected in the course of providing the card for you.

“When you apply for the card, the bank will apply online to NIMC through their database.

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”When they verify and confirm that your record in the database is in alignment with your record in NIMC database, it will be permitted and the card is going to be printed for you immediately,” the minister added.

The Minister also said that FEC also approved a memo proposing the deployment of an automated system to integrate NINs with individual SIM cards.

The system, he noted, would consolidate the implementation of the NIN-SIM linkage.

He said “As we all know that previous administrations made efforts to verify NIN and SIM starting from 2011 without success.

”In February 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the implementation of the policy and the revised version of the policy was also launched and unveiled by Mr. President on May 6, 2021.

“As it stands today, the NIN and SIM policy registration is being implemented. In order to consolidate the implementation.

“The Nigerian Communications Commission came up with a proposal that will enhance the implementation of the policy and bring many more benefits to it.”

Pantami said the automated system would sanitise the database and ease the process of SIM replacement for Nigerians or legal residents.

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Jetour G700 PHEV Lands in Abuja for 3-Day Luxury Mobility Showcase

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Jetour G700 PHEV Lands in Abuja for 3-Day Luxury Mobility Showcase

Jetour Nigeria is taking its premium mobility campaign to the Federal Capital Territory, with the flagship G700 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) set to headline a three-day luxury automotive showcase in Abuja from September 22 to 24, 2026.

The Abuja experience, coming on the heels of the brand’s major showcase in Lagos, is part of Jetour Nigeria’s aggressive drive to deepen its presence in the country’s premium automotive market while introducing consumers to a new generation of electrified mobility.

The G700 PHEV, positioned as Jetour’s flagship luxury SUV, combines executive-class comfort with advanced hybrid technology and serious off-road capability.

The model’s arrival in Abuja also comes at a time the brand is gaining increasing recognition in Nigeria’s automotive industry. Jetour Nigeria was recently honoured by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) as the Fastest Growing Auto Brand of the Year, underscoring its expanding market presence.

At the heart of the G700 is Jetour’s Kunpeng Super Hybrid system, paired with dual electric motors. The powertrain delivers a claimed combined driving range of up to 1,400 kilometres, offering a response to one of the major concerns surrounding electrified vehicles—range anxiety.

The flagship SUV also comes equipped with adaptive suspension, triple differential locks and up to 970mm wading capability, giving it the muscle to handle demanding terrain while retaining the refinement expected of a luxury vehicle.

Inside, the six-seat G700 delivers a premium cabin experience, featuring Nappa leather upholstery, massage seats, a 35.4-inch 3K panoramic display, an 18-speaker Lexicon sound system and an onboard refrigerator.

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The Abuja showcase is expected to attract government officials, corporate executives, fleet managers, motoring enthusiasts and members of the media. Participants will have the opportunity to experience the G700 through an exclusive vehicle reveal, hands-on demonstrations and VIP test drives.

Jetour Nigeria promises ownership support

Beyond the vehicle itself, Jetour Nigeria is highlighting its after-sales support as a key component of the ownership proposition.

Customers purchasing through its authorised network will benefit from a five-year or 150,000-kilometre manufacturer warranty, access to genuine spare parts, software upgrades and certified technical support.

The company currently operates through seven accredited dealerships, including Elizade Nigeria Limited, New Era AutoVehicle Services, Kojo Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, Tab Autos, R.T. Briscoe Motors and Mandilas Motors.

Jetour Nigeria is inviting prospective customers and automotive stakeholders to register for the Abuja experience and secure VIP test-drive slots.

Registration, vehicle specifications and event updates are available through www.jetournigeria.com, Instagram @jetour_nigeria and @Jetourngofficial, or via info@jetournigeria.com.

 

Jetour G700 PHEV Lands in Abuja for 3-Day Luxury Mobility Showcase

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IPMAN Plans Petrol Price Review as Dangote Refinery Raises Depot Cost

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IPMAN Plans Petrol Price Review as Dangote Refinery Raises Depot Cost

IPMAN Plans Petrol Price Review as Dangote Refinery Raises Depot Cost

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has said filling stations across the Federal Capital Territory will begin reviewing petrol pump prices in the coming days as new products enter the market. The National Publicity Secretary of IPMANChinedu Ukadike, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja. He said marketers were preparing to adjust their pricing and sales strategies in response to changes in the cost of petroleum products. Ukadike, however, said the exact timing of the adjustment remained uncertain because marketers were yet to receive a definite date for the arrival of the new products. “Once the new products begin arriving, marketers are expected to respond quickly by reviewing their prices and updating their product offerings,” he said. He added that purchases could commence within the next few days, depending on when the process officially begins, and assured that the adjustments would be made in line with existing rules and regulations.

The development follows a series of adjustments to the gantry, or ex-depot, price of Premium Motor Spirit by the Dangote Refinery. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the refinery raised its petrol ex-depot price from N1,165 per litre to N1,185, then N1,200 and subsequently N1,265 within the last week. The latest adjustment, which took effect on August 29, represented a N65 per litre increase from the previous N1,200 price. It was the third price adjustment by the refinery in eight days, adding N100 to the price of petrol at the refinery’s gantry—an 8.6 per cent increase within just eight days. The repeated adjustments have created uncertainty for both marketers and consumers, as the cost of replacing products could change substantially within a short period.

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The increases have already been reflected in pump prices across filling stations in the FCT. Checks in Abuja showed NNPC Retail stations increased their price from N1,250 to N1,270 per litre, while TotalEnergies and Bovas stations adjusted to about N1,275 per litre. In some areas, petrol prices have reportedly climbed to between N1,310 and N1,350 per litre. In parts of Lagos and Ogun, petrol has been reported at about N1,310 per litre, while prices in some northern states and areas farther from the refinery have climbed to N1,350 and above. IPMAN had previously explained that marketers could not continue selling petrol below their replacement cost, particularly amid frequent changes in the cost of replenishing their stocks. “Every time Dangote increases his price, our price will also rise,” Ukadike said. He noted that the volatility was making it difficult for both marketers and consumers to plan, as the cost of replacing products could change substantially within a short period.

The frequent price movements have raised concerns among motorists, who have urged the Federal Government to take steps to stabilise petrol prices. The impact extends beyond motorists, as higher petrol prices could increase transportation and operating costs for households and businesses, potentially putting additional pressure on the prices of goods and services. IPMAN’s latest position indicates that further price adjustments could occur once marketers begin taking delivery of new products, with the final pump prices expected to vary depending on supply costs, transportation and other distribution expenses.

Beyond the planned price review, IPMAN has also appealed to the Federal Government to intervene in the operations of Dangote Refinery to help reduce retail fuel prices. The National President of IPMAN, Abubakar Maigandi, urged the government to broker a deal with Dangote Refinery as part of its intervention to reduce fuel pump prices nationwide. He stressed that government intervention in the downstream petroleum sector should not be seen as a return to fuel subsidy. “We are appealing to the Federal Government to broker a deal with Dangote Refinery to reduce fuel prices. The government should intervene with Nigerian refiners, and this will lead to a reduction in fuel prices. It is different from fuel subsidy. In a situation where there is difficulty, the government should step in,” Maigandi said.

The development has also attracted criticism from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) , which condemned the latest price hike, describing it as “avoidable and unacceptable.” The acting General Secretary of the NLC, Benson Upah, questioned why the Federal Government has not done more to ensure that the Dangote Refinery receives adequate supplies of Nigerian crude. “The latest increase is avoidable and unacceptable in light of falling prices in the international market and our local capacity to sell more crude oil to Dangote. Why are we not doing so?” he said. The debate comes as figures from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission showed that oil producers offered 68.1 million barrels of crude to Dangote Refinery in the second quarter of 2026, against the refinery’s requirement of 63 million barrels, but the refinery accepted only 52.6 million barrels, highlighting the complexity of the domestic crude supply debate.

The price changes have continued to generate debate because they occurred alongside a decline in international crude oil prices in the period under review. The development underscores the sensitivity of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market to changes in product acquisition and replacement costs, even as consumers continue to monitor pump prices across the country. Ukadike expressed optimism that the Dangote Refinery’s free transportation initiative for petroleum marketers could reduce distribution costs and eventually ease pump prices if sustained. He also welcomed the inclusion of Imo and Anambra states in the initiative, describing the two states as important gateway markets in the South-East.

IPMAN Plans Petrol Price Review as Dangote Refinery Raises Depot Cost

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Uber exits Nigeria after 12 years

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Uber exits Nigeria after 12 years

By Rasheed Bisiriyu

Global ride-hailing giant, Uber, has pulled out of Nigeria, ending its 12-year operation in the country and bringing to a close a major chapter in the evolution of app-based transportation in Africa’s most populous nation

The company announced the decision on Wednesday, saying it would wind down its Nigerian operations effective September 2, 2026.

Uber said the decision followed a “thorough review” of its business in the country.

“We are writing to share some difficult news. After a thorough review of our business, we have made the tough decision to wind down our operations in Nigeria, effective 2 September 2026,” the company said in a message to its customers.

The development marks the end of Uber’s 12-year presence in Nigeria, which began with its launch in Lagos in 2014.

Its arrival transformed the urban transportation landscape, particularly in Lagos, by popularising app-based ride-hailing and providing commuters with an alternative to conventional taxis and other forms of commercial transportation.

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Through its platform, passengers could request rides using their mobile phones and connect with independent drivers, while vehicle owners and drivers gained access to a new source of income.

Over the years, Uber became a familiar part of the daily commuting experience of many Nigerians, particularly in major urban centres.

The company, while announcing its exit, thanked Nigerians for allowing it to become part of their daily lives.

“Since we first launched in Lagos in 2014, it has been an absolute privilege to be a part of your daily life connecting you with independent transportation providers,” Uber said.

“Whether it was a morning commute, a ride to see loved ones, or exploring the city, thank you for trusting the platform to connect you to a driver to get you there safely.”

Uber also apologised to customers for the disruption its departure might cause.

“We know this may cause disruption to your routine, and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience,” it said.

The company’s exit comes as Nigeria’s ride-hailing market has become increasingly competitive, with several local and international platforms offering app-based transportation services to commuters.

The sector has also faced challenges linked to rising vehicle operating costs, fuel prices, regulatory requirements and changing market conditions.

Uber said its Help Centre would remain available until September 23 to assist customers with final account-related enquiries.

“Thank you for welcoming us into your city,” the company said.

Uber’s departure brings to an end a significant chapter in Nigeria’s digital transportation story, following its role in changing how millions of commuters booked and paid for rides over the past decade.

 

Uber exits Nigeria after 12 years

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