The Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has announced the appointment of Ebehijie Juliet Momoh, former Senior Vice President at Mastercard, as the new Managing Director and CEO of AfriGOPay Financial Services Limited (AFSL), its subsidiary. In a concurrent move, NIBSS also named Ugo Obasi as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the card company.
These appointments mark a significant milestone in NIBSS’s mission to revolutionize the payment landscape and enhance financial experiences for businesses and consumers across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond. With over 30 years of extensive experience in the financial services industry, Mrs. Momoh is set to play a pivotal role in steering AfriGOPay towards achieving its ambitious goals.
Mrs. Momoh’s illustrious career began at Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) and includes strategic leadership positions at Diamond Bank Plc (now Access Bank Plc), First City Monument Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, and most recently, her role as Senior Vice President and Country Head, West Africa at Mastercard. In her new position, she will oversee the development, operations, and acceptance of the AfriGO Card.
The AfriGO Card scheme aims to deliver a seamless, secure, and efficient payment system tailored to the diverse needs of the Nigerian populace. By facilitating faster transactions, reducing costs, and enhancing the overall user experience, AfriGOPay aspires to position Nigeria at the forefront of the digital payment revolution.
Joining Mrs. Momoh is Ugo Obasi, the newly appointed COO of AFSL. Mr. Obasi brings over 20 years of exceptional leadership experience in banking, information technology, and payments across West Africa. Prior to this role, he served as the Director responsible for Business Development and Bank Partnerships at Ceviant Payments and held key positions at Unity Bank Plc, Ingenico, and other card schemes. His career is marked by the successful implementation of transformative payment solutions throughout the region.
“As COO, Obasi will drive operational excellence and innovation, overseeing the development and implementation of strategic initiatives to enhance the efficiency, security, and user experience of the AfriGO Card,” NIBSS stated.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and NIBSS launched AfriGO as Nigeria’s first national payment card in January of the previous year. This initiative places Nigeria among countries such as China, Russia, Turkey, and India, which have developed their own local card schemes. The introduction of the AfriGO card is intended to provide more options for Nigerians, complementing existing international cards without replacing them.
Recently, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) designated AfriGO as the provider of the new Single and General Multipurpose Card (GMPC) to be issued to Nigerians. This project represents the first major undertaking for AfriGO since its launch and underscores its critical role in the nation’s digital payment ecosystem.
