In line with the recent licensing of mobile money operators by the Central Bank of Nigeria, One Network and the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) have entered a partnership to build a-50,000 agents connections, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered. Sola Bickersteth, managing director, One Network affirmed that the planned introduction of a new National Identification System (NIS) for all Nigerian citizens also encouraged the partnership aimed at creating one NIPOST One Network Telecenter in every neighbourhood. “A typically One Network neighbourhood location is like a human ATM machine, allowing much more fundamentalist similar like that of a mini bank branch with the addition of the provision of numerous other financial inclusion related added services,” he said. Some of the services include mobile money, bill payment, public identity, government, micro-credit, insurance, online business, among others. The arrangement entails that cluster of ten or more neighbourhood agents will be recruited and managed by area supervisors or super agents preferably financial institutions. Their primary responsibilities, Bickersteth continued “would be amongst others to physically verify locations, conduct biometric documentation, provide certified teller training and ensure standardized operations at each of the locations as well as be responsible for float management, cash liquidity and accounts reconciliation of all agents in their area.” He disclosed that adequate measures have been outlined to guarantee the security and integrity of agents providing such financial and citizens’ services, adding that the agents will be pre-qualified based on either ownership of a legally registered and strategically located businesses within their neighbourhood or they would be able to secure a well located shop space or kiosk. “In order to meet minimum CBN ‘Know Your Customer’ requirement, they will be required to provide personal and other relevant information and documents as well as pass a security background check,” the managing director explained. Bickersteth believes that the introduction of e-money and the planned introduction of new National Identification System for Nigerians has created charitable platforms for new business opportunity for financial and citizen service agents.
eMoney, NIS: One Network, NIPOST target 50,000 links
