This definitely is a rhetorical question. Though Nigeria, like most African countries, is usually at the rear of technological advances worldwide, we are not (and should not be) too far behind. To answer this question, let’s review some historical statistics.
In the year 2000, there were about 200,000 internet users nationwide representing about 0.1% of the population, and in 2006 - the number has increased to about 5,000,000 users representing about 3.1 % of the population. Currently, about 11% of Nigerians have access to the internet. This infers that we are indeed ready to embrace new technological advances.
Presently, almost all banks offer online banking services to their customers, from the convenience of their homes or offices. Also, the use of ATM and POS has been well embraced among the Nigerian populace.
Thanks to e-payment solution companies like MasterCard, InterSwitch, ValuCard, VisaCard and e-Tranzact, Nigerians can make a whole lot of transactions online. The web portal
www.naira.com is a one-stop-payment and transactions portal catering for all e-commerce needs in the Nigerian market, from shopping for a variety of electronics , house hold appliances, payment of bills and school fees, cable subscription, purchase of tickets for shows and events, down to purchase of recharge cards and loads more of our everyday needs. It accepts all the major payment cards in circulation, numerous consumers have tested the portal and purchased various items with their ATM cards. Within just a few months since operations commenced, subscribers have been impressed with the great strides taken by
www.naira.com to make Nigeria a truly cashless society.
However, the question still lingers;
‘IS NIGERIA REALLY READY FOR A CASHLESS SOCIETY?’
