By Christiana Nwaogu, Patience Ihejirika<\/p>\n
About 28.5 million Nigerians who registered for the national identity card are yet to get the cards from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). Most of them have expressed worry that, while the development is hindering them from carrying out their civic responsibilities, it may even frustrate their financial transactions, following recent SMS sent by banks in Nigeria to their customers urging them to get their national ID cards.<\/p>\n
The banks recently indicated that they will soon commence the enforcement of the National Identity Number (NIN) issued by NIMC as the only acceptable means of identification and verification for all financial transactions in the country. This development has raised mixed reactions, with some bank customers faulting the imposition of the National Identification Number (NIN) as single identifier for banking transactions. According to them, this could undermine achievement of the nation\u2019s financial inclusion goal.<\/p>\n
LEADERSHIP Sunday\u2019s findings revealed that some banks have started using the NIN as criteria for banking transactions. A recent text message from one of the banks to its customers stated: \u201cDear customer, please be informed that the use of the NIN has been made mandatory by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and you will be required to present your NIMC card or slip to enjoy certain financial services\u201d.<\/p>\n