NIMC DG Says 'MasterCard's Logo on National eID Card Will Enhance Nigeria's Poor Global Perception'

Contrary to speculations that the national electronic identity (eID) card, currently being issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) is fraught with security breaches, the commission has said it would instead give the cards, and card bearers international recognition and acceptance, since the cards also function as payment cards.

Citing poor perception image of Nigeria in the eyes of international communities, and the rejection of most credit cards from Nigeria by international merchants, Director-General of NIMC, Chris Onyemenam explained that the MasterCard’s logo positioned at the back of the identity card, was strategic to help the card and its bearers gain respect and acceptance globally.

“The introduction of MasterCard’s logo on the national eID card is an advancement in technology on the part of NIMC in ensuring that the country’s identity card is recognised locally and globally as payment card, aside being an identity card, and for this singular reason, other countries are seeking audience with Nigeria to study the authenticity and technicalities of the Nigerian national identity card,” Onyemenam said.