President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially launched the NINAuth mobile application, a digital identity authentication platform developed by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda. The launch, held at the State House in Abuja on Thursday, underscores the administration’s commitment to building a secure, inclusive, and efficient national identity system.
Speaking at the event, Tinubu described the app as a cornerstone of his Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at modernising public infrastructure and eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks. “Today’s official launch of the NIMC NINAuth App heralds a remarkable day in our nation’s digital public infrastructure journey,” he said. “This innovation marks yet another milestone in our collective pursuit of a digitally-empowered Nigeria.”
What NINAuth Offers
The NINAuth app allows citizens and legal residents to verify their identity directly from their mobile phones, reducing the need for physical documentation and long queues at government offices. It is designed to support real-time data authentication for both public institutions and private enterprises, enabling access to services such as healthcare, banking, education, and social welfare.
According to NIMC Director General, Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, the app will eliminate multiple data records for individuals and provide businesses with secure access to verified identity credentials. She revealed that NIMC has enrolled over 126 million Nigerians into the national identity database, with 25 million added in the last two years alone. The system currently handles an average of 1.3 million verification hits per day.
A Tool for Governance and Development
President Tinubu emphasised that a credible identity system is essential for national development. “It supports financial inclusion, strengthens social welfare delivery, enhances our security architecture, and ensures accurate population data for evidence-based planning,” he said.
He also announced that all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) will soon adopt the app for staff and data verification, further integrating digital identity into governance.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, praised the initiative, stating, “Identity is not just an administrative requirement; it is the backbone of governance, national security, and service delivery.”
Public Reaction: Hope and Skepticism
Fairview Africa spoke with residents in Abuja to gauge public sentiment about the new app and its potential to ease interactions with government services.
Gideon said, “I think the government has done well for launching such an initiative, and I believe it will help ordinary Nigerians like us.”
Rachel Paul added, “The government has really done well in providing this mobile platform. It will reduce stress.”
However, some citizens remain cautious, citing past frustrations with government systems. Many say the success of NINAuth will depend on its ease of use, data protection standards, and whether it truly eliminates the delays and inefficiencies that plague public service delivery.
What Needs to Happen Next
For NINAuth to succeed, experts say the government must:
- Ensure widespread public awareness and digital literacy
- Guarantee data privacy and cybersecurity
- Integrate the app across all government platforms
- Provide offline support for citizens without smartphones or internet access
- Monitor and evaluate user experience to continuously improve the system
As Nigeria moves toward a more digital future, the NINAuth app could become a transformative tool—if implemented with transparency, accountability, and citizen-focused design. For now, the launch signals a promising step toward modernising identity management and improving access to essential services.
