The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has introduced a new system that allows individuals to authorise the use of their identity information when their National Identification Number (NIN) is being verified, as the commission moves to strengthen privacy within Nigeria’s digital identity system.

Known as NIN Authentication (NINAuth), the service provides web, application programming interface (API) and mobile-based verification options for organisations connecting to NIMC’s identity infrastructure. NIMC said the system is intended to reduce unnecessary exposure of citizens’ raw NIN and other personal details during identity checks.

Legit.ng reported that under the arrangement, NIN holders are required to give explicit consent before their information is shared for Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures or other verification purposes. The commission said the approach gives individuals greater control over when their identity information is accessed while providing institutions with a formal channel for authentication.

The development comes amid renewed concerns over the security of Nigeria’s national identity infrastructure after a video circulated on social media alleging that the national identity database had been compromised. NIMC rejected the claim, describing it as false and unfounded and saying the video was a recycled report from 2024 that had previously been addressed.

According to the commission, its National Identity Database has not been breached or compromised. NIMC said it maintains multi-layered security measures to protect the personal information of registered Nigerians and legal residents and urged the public to rely on its official communication channels for information concerning the national identity system.

NINAuth is expected to support identity checks connected with services such as SIM registration, immigration and passport processing, taxation and financial transactions. NIMC said the system allows such verification to take place without unnecessarily exposing the holder’s raw NIN or underlying personal information.

The commission said the initiative is aligned with the NIMC Act 2026 and the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, which provide legal requirements for the handling and protection of personal information.