Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, inaugurated the first biometric card which has additional functionality for electronic payments.
Banking giant, MasterCard, is facilitating the prepaid payment feature of the card, aiming to provide numerous Nigerians without bank accounts accessibility to financial services.
Nigeria had a failed attempt to introduce national ID cards a decade ago. Experts attribute its failure to rampant corruption, expressing concerns that a similar fate might befall the fresh e-ID initiative.
The new card serves multiple purposes—it not only authenticates the holder’s identity, but also doubles as a personal data repository and payment card, “all in your pocket,” as President Jonathan claimed during the inauguration in the nation’s capital, Abuja.
According to the country’s central bank, only approximately 30% of Nigeria’s 167 million residents possess bank accounts, as reported by Bloomberg.
During the card’s launch, President Jonathan demonstrated its use by withdrawing cash using his new e-ID card at an ATM machine.
MasterCard hailed the fusion of an identification card and a payment card for individuals aged 16 and above as an important step. This innovation “breaks down one of the most significant barriers to financial inclusion—proof of identity,” according to MasterCard’s representative Daniel Monehin.
The new ID cards display the holder’s photograph, name, age, and a unique ID number. Biometric data including 10 fingerprints and an iris scan are also captured during enrollment to prevent duplicate accounts.
The pilot phase, which kicked off last October, aims to issue 13 million MasterCard-branded ID cards. Registration can be done at enrollment centers present in all 36 states, at no cost unless a replacement is required.
The Nigerian Identity Management Commission (NIMC), responsible for this rollout, is working towards merging various government databases, such as those for driving licenses, voter registration, health insurance, taxes, and pensions.
source: BBC News
Updated in 2025 to align with recent developments.
Paul Balo is the founder of TechBooky and a highly skilled wireless communications professional with a strong background in cloud computing, offering extensive experience in designing, implementing, and managing wireless communication systems.
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