The Nigerian National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and MasterCard are rolling out 13 million MasterCard-branded National Identity Smart Cards with electronic payment capability as a pilot program.

As part of the program, in its first phase, Nigerians 16 years and older, and all residents in the country for more than two years, will get the new multipurpose identity card which has 13 applications, including MasterCard’s prepaid payment technology that will provide cardholders with electronic payments options.  

The new National Identity Smart Card will incorporate the unique National Identification Numbers (NIN) of registered persons in the country. The enrollment process involves the recording of an individual’s demographic data and biometric data (capture of 10 fingerprints, facial picture and digital signature) that are used to authenticate the cardholder and eliminate fraud and embezzlement.  

Other identification card schemes like the Driver’s License, Voters Registration, Health Insurance, Tax, SIM and the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) can all be integrated, using the NIN, into the multi-function Card Scheme of the NIMS.

When utilizing the card as a prepaid payment tool, the cardholder can deposit funds on the card, receive social benefits, and use the card like a prepaid card. 

The National Identity Smart Card is the Card Scheme under the recently deployed National Identity Management System (NIMS). This program is the largest roll-out of a formal electronic payment solution in the country and the broadest financial inclusion initiative of its kind on the African continent.

Upon completion of the National ID registration process, NIMC aims to introduce more than 100 million cards to Nigeria’s 167 million citizens.