In a sweeping move to bolster digital identity management and tighten data security across Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to adopt the National Identity Number (NIN) Authentication Service for all identity verification and authentication processes.
This directive follows the official launch of the NIN Authentication (NINAuth) service by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), a state-of-the-art identity verification solution aimed at streamlining access to key government services while empowering Nigerians with greater control over their personal data.
The head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, Dr. Kayode Adegoke, announced the development in a statement issued Tuesday, saying the rollout is “in line with the Commission’s mandate of regulating a reliable National Digital Identity for citizens and legal residents to affirm their identity.”
According to the statement, “The launch of the ‘NIN Authentication (NINAuth),’ a cutting-edge suite of services that include web, API and mobile verification, is part of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on strengthening the National Identity Management System.”
He added that the NINAuth application introduces a robust layer of protection, enhancing user privacy by requiring explicit consent before data is shared for Know Your Customer (KYC) or other verifications.
With the app, Nigerians can now securely verify their identities for critical services such as SIM card registration and replacement, immigration and passport processing, tax filing, financial transactions, government interventions, and driver’s license renewals.
Key features of the platform include: Enhanced Security – Protects personal data from unauthorized access, User Control – Allows individuals to manage how and when their data is shared, Seamless Access – A single sign-on system for easier access to multiple services.
The statement further stated, “The NINAuth application is the official service for integration with the Commission’s backend infrastructure. It is designed to facilitate real-time authentication of NIN records, thereby promoting effective service delivery, database harmonization, and compliance with the National Identity Policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
NIMC declared the NINAuth service the exclusive platform for all NIN-based verification and authentication processes across MDAs. Nigerians are encouraged to download the app from the Google Play Store or Apple iOS App Store to access the new services. The implementation guide and process flow are available on https://ninauth.nimc.gov.ng.
This innovation, according to NIMC, represents a major leap forward in Nigeria’s journey toward a more secure, efficient, and citizen-centric digital identity ecosystem.