40 Years of Chams: The Legacy Behind Your BVN, Cards, and Cashless Life

Forty years no be beans.

In a country where many businesses don’t survive their 5th birthday, ChamsHoldCo has weathered four decades, growing with Nigeria and weaving itself into the everyday story of how we live, work, and spend.

Back in the early 80s, when Lagos was still running on landlines and computers were a rare luxury found mostly in government offices, Chams took a bold leap. It introduced smartcard technology to Nigeria, long before “cashless” or “fintech” entered everyday conversation. At the time, most people couldn’t imagine a world where their identity could be stored on a chip or money could move without cash. But Chams planted that seed.

Fast-forward to today, and it’s hard to find a Nigerian who hasn’t unknowingly experienced Chams’ touch. That BVN, the bank won’t open your account without it. Chams was part of the rollout. Is the SIM card registration that keeps your line alive? Chams’ systems were there. The national biometric enrollment you queued for? Chams helped lay that foundation. Even INEC projects powering elections through technology carry Chams’ imprint.

You’ve been interacting with Chams technology without even knowing it.

Four Decades of Firsts

 

Chams’ journey has been one of consistent firsts; some quiet, some groundbreaking. It built one of the world’s largest Computer-Based Testing centres in Lagos and Abuja, so massive that it earned a Guinness World Record. It powered the BVN, the National ID enrollment under NIMC, and supported INEC projects that drive the democratic process.

Chams is also a proudly Nigerian company, listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange since 2008, a bold step that showcased the strength of home-grown innovation on a national stage. Beyond that, it remains the first home-grown tech company to be listed in the Guinness Book of Records, thanks to the mega ChamsCity Digital Mall, a bold experiment in identity and technology at scale.

These weren’t just headlines; they laid foundations that shaped identity, banking, and governance for millions of Nigerians.

Truly, 40 years don waka, and we still dey carry go. Baba God o, na your grace. A dupe o.

Building a Digital Family

 

 

Like every proud parent, ChamsHoldCo has raised subsidiaries that carry its vision into different corners of Nigerian life.

  • ChamsMobile drives fintech forward with solutions such as Kegow (mobile money wallet), VOTA (e-voting), and I’m Alive (pensioner verification).
  • ChamsAccess strengthens identity and safety, building tools like SecureKid to protect schools and PenCentral to simplify pension remittances.
  • CardCentre is the silent powerhouse behind millions of SIM cards, bank cards, and national ID cards.
  • ChamsSwitch drives commerce through payment platforms like PelPay and Naira.com.

These aren’t just brands; they are the infrastructure that powers the daily hustle of Nigerians. From the transfer you make on your phone to the ID card in your wallet, Chams has always been about opening doors.

That’s the true legacy, building systems that make daily life seamless, even if they don’t always make the headlines.

The Next 40: Looking Forward

Forty years ago, nobody could have predicted how much technology would reshape Nigeria. Today, AI is rewriting the rules of business, digital identity is no longer optional, and African tech is stepping boldly onto the global stage.

For Chams, the next 40 years won’t just be about keeping pace. It will be about leading.

The future means scaling identity systems powered by AI, creating fintech solutions that reach the last mile where banks can’t, and building platforms that make governance more transparent and people-centred. Some Chams subsidiaries are already making international inroads, proof that Nigerian-born innovation can hold its own on the global map.

If the first 40 years were about planting seeds and laying foundations, the next 40 will be about expansion, partnerships, and turning Nigerian technology into African and global exports.

Because the future isn’t waiting, and neither are we.

A Legacy Worth Celebrating

When you think about Chams at 40, don’t just picture a company anniversary. Think of the ease in your everyday life: opening a bank account, registering your SIM, transferring money, or verifying your identity with a fingerprint. Think of the countless Nigerians who can work, learn, vote, and hustle better because a company dared to innovate before it was popular.

Chams at 40 is not just history. It’s the heartbeat of Nigeria’s digital story, and the promise of Africa’s future.

So, let’s raise a toast, cheers to 40 years of legacy, innovation, and impact. And to the many more still to come.

 

Post Views: 183

Related Articles


Kegow Transaction Fee Update: For Every Transaction, We Got You Covered
A diverse group of women standing together, representing strength, leadership, and inclusivity across all backgrounds.
Not Just at the Table, You Set the Table
Celebrating chams tech company at 36
Tenacity and Persistence is the Spirit of Chams – MD/CEO, Chamsmobile

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*


Don't miss out on updates.
Subscribe to Our Newletter and get timely update about industry news!
Get Exclusive News and Updates

Akinsanmi Adeleke

Business Mngr. and Enterprise Solution

Akinsanmi is a high-performing operations-management executive with expertise in optimizing organizational processes through system automation. His career accomplishments consist of more than 10 years of experience implementing technology projects, developing product requirements, and analysing support strategies and processes to facilitate improved operations and efficiency. A proficient problem-solver who designs solutions and assists developers with issues by envisioning business and technical perspectives to a problem. When it comes to completing a job from start to finish, the value of clarity and good communication can’t be overstated, his superior communication and problem-solving skills allow him to excel in driving teams through all facets of project life cycles and realizing improved efficiency and productivity.

Grown through the ranks at Chams PLC, starting as Biometric Technology Support, Database Administrator, and presently a Business Manager, he has efficiently led diverse teams to oversee, manage and successfully deliver a number of technology change management projects for both government and private clients. Applying strong relationship and stakeholder management skills, he has ensured the utmost satisfaction of all clients. His expertise, experience, and achievement across projects includes Business Analysis, Process Improvement/Automation, Open Source Development, ERP, HR and Payroll Automation and Auditing, Data Analysis, Public Financial Management Automation.

Reinforcing his experience are credentials that include a Master’s Degree in Information Technology from the prestigious University of Lagos, as well as various other professional certifications including Certified Business Analyst from Imarticus Learning in India, Oracle Certified Professional, Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist and a recognised Odoo Partner.

Babatope Olulode

Head of Sales, VOTA & I’m Alive

Babatope Olulode is the Assistant General Manager, Sales. He works primarily on VOTA and I’m Alive Solutions for the Company. With working experience in a vast variety of industries in Nigeria and the United States, he leads the sales effort to ensure that Chamsmobile products are highly sought after and exceed the expectations of our clients.

Prior to Chamsmobile, Tope worked at NETCOM Africa and was on the Board of Management of John Holt PLC as General Manager overseeing assets worth over N10 Billion. He also worked in Logistics as the Chief Operating Officer of CFL Logistics and Head, Business Development at Flux Logistics, a member of the Superflux Group. He was appointed as MD/CEO of Sattrak Telematics in 2008 after working with Nextzon Business Services, a firm providing Business advisory, venture financing and management, outsourcing and consulting services. In the United States, he joined AWABCO as a Manager and later JWB Ventures as General Manager after receiving a 98.5% score in serve-safe certification.

A multi-disciplinary and lifelong learner, Tope holds a Bachelor of Technology Degree from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso, and is a member of the American Marketing Association AMA. He earned an MBA from the Louisiana State University in 2004 and was awarded the Don Wilcox Scholarship for Outstanding Academic Performance. He’s an avid Film critic and loves to travel.

Kayode Akomolafe

Executive Director

Kayode Akomolafe is the Executive Director, Chamsmobile. Before his appointment, he was the Chief Operating Officer, Chams Plc. He is an accomplished professional in project management with over 20years experience in diverse field which include Identity management, solution design, system architect, customer service, IT operations and infrastructure.

Sequel to joining Chams Plc in 2008, Kayode worked with Aeriel Link Communications, a public relation outfit in Lagos as Business Development executive and Mr Biggs Division of UAC as Operations Auditors and Compliance Manager. He has managed and led different teams to deliver several projects for federal, state and private institutions out of which are ChamsCity digital mall that got the Guinness world record, NCC SIM registration, Nigeria Airforce identity management and staff audit, Nigeria Custom identity management system, Osun state staff audit, including human resources and payroll solution, and the famous national identity project with NIMC.

He holds a Bachelor of Technology from Federal University of Technology Akure, a Master’s Degree in Information System Technology from University of Liverpool, UK and an Executive MBA from Lagos Business school. He is an Alumni of Nanyang Business School, Singapore. He is a certified Scrum Master, a Professional Member of British Project Professional Society, Scrum Alliance USA and Agile Practitioners Association of Nigeria.


Mayowa Olaniyan

CEO/Managing Director

Mayowa Olaniyan is a finance and management expert. She is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Chamsmobile Limited, an associate company of Nigeria’s long-standing indigenous technology company, Chams Plc.

Mayowa’s managerial and strategy expertise is sought after in the corporate sector. With an accomplished career of over 27 years that spans across finance, audit, automobile, and technology, Mayowa is a thoroughbred professional and resilient administrator whose business leadership is well recognized among C-Level Executives, Board of directors, Regulatory Authorities and other key Stakeholders for the many outstanding performances in delivering company’s business and financial objectives.

Until her appointment as MD/CEO of Chamsmobile, Mayowa oversaw Chams Plc’s finance, strategy and services as Executive Director. In this role, she led the refinancing of Chamsmobile and reengineered the company’s mobile money operations and positioned same to play alongside other big leagues in the industry and also drove the financial and business strategy that shot the Chams group back to profitability. Prior to that role, she served as the Chief Strategist and Financial Officer.

A chartered accountant of repute, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and Fellow of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), global body for professional Accountants, Mayowa holds an MBA from Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, UK.

She has a degree in Applied Accounting and post graduate diploma from Oxford Brooks University, UK. She is an alumna of NANYANG Technology University, Singapore and the prestigious Pan Atlantic University (Lagos Business School), Nigeria.