The Federal Government on Thursday formally launched a national electronic identity card, which all Nigerians must have to be able to vote in 2019, BBC reports.
President Jonathan, who received the first biometric card, can also be used to make electronic payments and transactions across the world.
MasterCard is providing the prepaid payment element and it hopes millions of Nigerians without bank accounts will now gain access to financial services.
According to the president, “the card is not only a means of certifying your identity, but also a personal database repository and payment card, all in your pocket.”
“I have taken keen interest in this project, primarily because of the pervasive impact it can have on every facet of the socio-economic fabric of our dear nation, he added.
According to a statement by MasterCard’s Daniel Monehin, “It breaks down one of the most significant barriers to financial inclusion – proof of identity.”
The new cards show a person’s photograph, name, age and unique ID number – and 10 fingerprints and an iris are scanned during enrolment.
These details are intended to ensure that there are no duplicates on the system.
President Goodluck Jonathan used his new e-ID card at an ATM during the launch in Abuja.
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