MasterCard has announced it has launched National eID cards in Nigeria. Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan was the first to receive his National eID card, indicating the official launch of the eID pilot program.
In the pilot phase, MasterCard-branded identity cards with electronic payments functionality will be issued out to 13 million Nigerians. The eID card forms a key component of the Nigerian Identity Management System, deployed by Nigerian Identity Management Commission (NIMC) as part of its mandate to create, maintain and operate the country’s first central National Identity Database and provide proof of identity to Nigerians 16 years and older.
President, Goodluck Jonathan said: “I am happy that this important milestone of the rollout of the National Identity Management System has been released. 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.”
“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.”
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