Nigeria’s president Goodluck Jonathan has launched the country’s national e-ID card programme, which sees citizens issued with MasterCard-branded biometric identity cards which have electronic payment functionality included.
In the initial pilot phase of the Nigerian Identity Management Commission (NIMC) project, 13 million Nigerians will be given the card, making it the largest rollout of a biometric-based verification card with an electronic payment solution in Nigeria, as well as being the broadest financial inclusion programme in Africa.
The card comes with 13 applications including Cryptovision’s biometric identification technology, and MasterCard’s prepaid payment technology through which millions of so far unbanked Nigerians will gain access to electronic payments. The e-ID card programme forms part of NIMC’s effort to create, maintain and operate Nigeria’s first central National Identity Database and provide proof of identity to Nigerians 16 years and older.
Speaking at the event in Abuja, His Excellency President Goodluck Jonathan said: “I am happy that this important milestone of the rollout of the National Identity Management System has been realized today. I am impressed with the quality of the eID card and the work of the corporate partners that made it possible. I commend especially MasterCard, and Access Bank Plc, as well as the Commission (NIMC) for achieving a world-class product.”
He said the card builds a window to a social security benefit system and therefore, it is a card every Nigerian should get.
“The National eID program enables us to create an optimized common platform for Nigerian citizens to easily interact with the various government agencies and to transact electronically,” says Barr. Chris ‘E Onyemenam, Director General and CEO of NIMC. “There are many use cases for the card, including the potential to use it as an international travel document, which will have significant implications for border control in Nigeria and West Africa.”
NIMC is working with several government agencies to integrate and harmonize all identity databases including the Driver’s License, Voter Registration, Health Insurance, Tax, SIM and the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) into a single, shared services platform.
In the initial pilot phase of the Nigerian Identity Management Commission (NIMC) project, 13 million Nigerians will be given the card, making it the largest rollout of a biometric-based verification card with an electronic payment solution in Nigeria, as well as being the broadest financial inclusion programme in Africa.
The card comes with 13 applications including Cryptovision’s biometric identification technology, and MasterCard’s prepaid payment technology through which millions of so far unbanked Nigerians will gain access to electronic payments. The e-ID card programme forms part of NIMC’s effort to create, maintain and operate Nigeria’s first central National Identity Database and provide proof of identity to Nigerians 16 years and older.
Speaking at the event in Abuja, His Excellency President Goodluck Jonathan said: “I am happy that this important milestone of the rollout of the National Identity Management System has been realized today. I am impressed with the quality of the eID card and the work of the corporate partners that made it possible. I commend especially MasterCard, and Access Bank Plc, as well as the Commission (NIMC) for achieving a world-class product.”
He said the card builds a window to a social security benefit system and therefore, it is a card every Nigerian should get.
“The National eID program enables us to create an optimized common platform for Nigerian citizens to easily interact with the various government agencies and to transact electronically,” says Barr. Chris ‘E Onyemenam, Director General and CEO of NIMC. “There are many use cases for the card, including the potential to use it as an international travel document, which will have significant implications for border control in Nigeria and West Africa.”
NIMC is working with several government agencies to integrate and harmonize all identity databases including the Driver’s License, Voter Registration, Health Insurance, Tax, SIM and the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) into a single, shared services platform.
Exactly what Nigeria need rright now to right against intruders from neighbouring states. Many people claim they are Nigerians when they are not. Smuggling themselves through our borders.
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