National Smart ID Card for 13m Nigerians Under 1st Phase

The national smart identity (ID) card, powered by international electronics payment company, MasterCard, will be obtained by 13 million Nigerians under the pilot phase of the project.

This was disclosed in Abuja on Thursday, at the official unveiling of the card by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Speaking at the ceremony, 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.

“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”.

On his part, Barr. Chris Onyemenam, director general and CEO of NIMC said, “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. 

 “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.” “In close collaboration with both the public and private sectors to achieve the full potential of this program, NIMC is focused on inclusive citizenship, more effective governance, and the creation of a cashless economy, all of which will stimulate economic growth, investment and trade”.

Through the collaborative efforts of NIMC (the project lead), MasterCard (payments technology provider), Unified Payment Services Limited (payments processor), Cryptovision (Public Key Infrastructure and Trust Services Provider), and pilot issuing banks including Access Bank Plc, 13 million Nigerians will gain access to state-of-art financial services as part of the pilot program.

“This is a memorable occasion for MasterCard as we witness the start of a financial inclusion program that is unprecedented in scale and scope,” said Daniel Monehin, division president of Sub-Saharan Africa, MasterCard.

According to Monehin, “Combining an identity card with MasterCard’s prepaid payment capability creates a game changer as it breaks down one of the most significant barriers to financial inclusion – proof of identity – while simultaneously enabling Nigerians to access the global economy.”

He said the broader economic impact of the card will be felt as the previously unbanked and under-banked are able to gain access to the mainstream economy, and the visibility of their assets allows them to build a financial history and establish credit-worthiness with financial institutions.

Using the card as a payment tool, Nigerians can deposit funds, receive social benefits, save, or engage in many other financial transactions that are facilitated by electronic payments with the extra security assurance that biometric verification provides.

They can also pay for goods and services and withdraw cash at millions of merchants and ATMS that accept MasterCard payment cards in Nigeria and in more than 210 countries and territories globally.

MasterCard has unsurpassed merchant acceptance; no other brand is more widely accepted. The card also has the added safety and security benefits offered by the EMV Chip and Pin standard.

Also, Herbert Wigwe, group managing director, Access Bank Plc, said: “Access Bank is a supporter and promoter of innovative ideas that would improve the quality of lives of Nigerians. This initiative provides another opportunity to highlight our commitment to national development and nation building.”

To receive the eID card, Nigerians aged 16 and above need to register at one of the hundreds of NIMC enrollment centers nationwide.

The enrollment process involves the recording of an individual’s demographic data and biometric data (capture of 10 fingerprints, facial picture and Iris) to authenticate the cardholder and ensure that there are no duplicates on the system.

Upon registration, NIMC issues each Nigerian with a unique National Identification Number (NIN), followed by the national eID card.

Upon completion of the pilot program, NIMC plans to introduce more than 100 million cards to Nigeria’s 167 million citizens. “By supporting the Nigerian Government in the implementation of a world-class and innovative electronic payments program, we are helping them to reduce the costs of cash to the economy and society, improve efficiencies and prevent fraud and corruption. More importantly, we are opening up a world of financial inclusion to millions of Nigerians and improving lives,” said Monehin.