The Nigerian Identity Card Program is receiving new assistance from MasterCard (News - Alert). The pilot program for the National Identity Smart Cards with electronic payment capability is created thanks to the Nigerian National Identity Management Commission and MasterCard, and was recently deployed by the National Identity Management System. This in turn creates a new, formal electronic payment solution that’s the broadest financial inclusion initiative of its kind in the region.

This program will provide all Nigerians, including all residents in the country who have been there for two years or more, with a multipurpose identity card. This card comes with 13 unique applications, including payment, driver’s license, health insurance, and more. Not only will this provide security and convenience with its electronic payments, but will provide the financial services of MasterCard to Nigerians who have previously lacked access to it.

The project features Access Bank Plc as the pilot issuer bank for the cards, with Unified Payment Services Limited acting as the payment processor. Of course, other banks will also issue the cards, including United Bank for Africa, Union Bank, First Bank, and more.

The new National Identity Smart Card incorporates the National Identification Numbers of registered people in the country, including demographic and biometric data that authenticate the cardholder to protect against fraud and theft. It can integrate other identification card purposes, such as health insurance, SIM, driver’s licenses, voter registration, and other similar purposes, essentially combining every card they could need into a single secure one.

“Today’s announcement is the first phase of an unprecedented project in terms of scale and scope for Nigeria,” said Michael Miebach, president of MasterCard for the Middle East and Africa. “MasterCard has been a firm supporter of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Cashless Policy as we share a vision of a world beyond cash.  From the program’s inception, we have provided the Federal Government of Nigeria with global insights and best practices on how electronic payments can enable economic growth and create a more financially inclusive economy.”

This is a grand undertaking, with over 100 million cards to be printed and distributed, but upon its success, it will prove very helpful to citizens and all sorts of businesses, banks, and institutions. Not only will this help those who have previously been unable to use electronic payments, but it will provide convenience for anyone who’s ever had to go through multiple cards. While keeping that much vital information on a single card might seem risky, the security and biometrics will stand as a sentinel against identity theft and fraud, keeping one’s personal information safe.