The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially launched the NIN Authentication (NINAuth) App, a major step toward digital accountability in Nigeria. According to the government, the digital innovation by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) will enhance efficiency, transparency and accountability in governance.
First introduced in May 2025 and launched on Thursday by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the president assured that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) will soon be required to adopt it for staff and data verification.
According to him, this mandate is part of his Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to leverage technology to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and reduce the gaps where inefficiency and corruption can thrive.
“Today’s official launch of the NIMC NINAuth App heralds a remarkable day in our nation’s digital public infrastructure journey as Africa’s largest identity database. This innovation marks yet another milestone in our collective pursuit of a digitally-empowered Nigeria,” he said.
“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, our administration is committed to leveraging technology to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability in governance. Central to this agenda is the modernisation of digital infrastructure to eliminate unnecessary bottlenecks and ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of background or location, has access to essential services without the frustration of bureaucratic delays,” The President added.
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Empowering Nigerian citizens for data transparency
The most revolutionary element of the NINAuth App is its mechanism for decentralised consent by giving citizens control over their data.
According to NIMC, users can now grant, revoke, or review data access linked to their National Identification Number (NIN), ensuring enhanced privacy, security, and personal empowerment. It will also allow users to fast-track passport registration, simplify NYSC registration and complete NELFUND registration through an instant NIN verification.
“For businesses and enterprises, the application fosters trust, speed, and regulatory compliance, while for the government, it promotes secure access, oversight, and transparency in service delivery,” NIMC said.
It added that, from the roadside vendor applying for a micro loan to telecommunication companies onboarding millions of subscribers, NINAuth is designed for everyone, making identity verification faster, safer, and simpler.
By putting the citizen in charge of their own data, the app introduces an auditable, transparent layer of consent that aligns Nigeria with global best practices.
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Unifying verification for equitable national development in Nigeria
The mandatory adoption of NINAuth by MDAs means all government transactions will now be routed through a secure, unified system.
This digital backbone is crucial given that NIMC has enrolled over 121 million Nigerians as of June 30, 2025. Lagos State has the highest number of enrollments with over 12.9 million, while the distribution is nearly equal between the North and South regions.
For the government, the application promotes secure access, oversight, and transparency in service delivery. President Tinubu noted that a credible and inclusive National Identity Management System is fundamental to our national development goals.
“My fellow Nigerians, the future we seek is one where technology empowers every citizen and where trust in governance is built on efficiency, transparency, and inclusiveness. The launch of this application demonstrates that the promises we have made as a government are being responsibly measured and are manifesting in tangible reforms that improve daily life.
“Let us all embrace this new era. Let us protect it, use it responsibly, and ensure that it serves as a bridge, connecting our people, our institutions, and our aspirations for a more prosperous nation. Together, we are building a nation where every identity counts and every citizen must matter,” President Tinubu concluded.
The new app will ensure that the massive database is reliably harnessed to support key national functions. By ensuring resources are strictly linked to verified, authenticated identities, the app closes loopholes for fraud, thereby making the distribution of public funds demonstrably more transparent and equitable.
