Business Economy

Your Virtual NIN Verification Guide from NIMC Nigeria (VNIN Service)

Doing business in Nigeria?

There’s been a recent change to the ID verification process for NIN (National Identity Number) as communicated by the Nigerian Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

According to NIMC, the “Virtual National Identification Numbers (vNINs) will replace physical NIN cards or slips in the verification process.”

As a business or individual that verifies your customers, ​​this change will impact how you verify people going forward. And we’re here to help you make the transition as smooth as possible.

The Nigerian Federal Government introduced the vNIN to protect the security of Nigerians’ personal identifiable information and to reduce the illegal retrieval, usage, and storage of a NIN.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what this means for you and your customers:

 

What is Virtual NIN (vNIN) all about?

The vNIN is a tokenized version of the current NIN. It consists of 16 alpha-numeric characters, which you can use to verify your customer’s identity.

You’ll know the vNIN is valid because it’s issued exclusively by the ID Holder (individual), who already has a NIN from NIMC. This will protect your business from people impersonating others during onboarding.

NIMC confirms that the Virtual NIN can be used for identity verification, so it has been made available across all our platforms (web, API &SDK) — in the same way, the NIN verification service was used.

Use verified.africa

How to Generate a vNIN token

Virtual NIN can be generated via the NIMC mobile App or via USSD.

To generate a vNIN token via NIMCs mobile app, simply download the app on your app store, log in with your details and follow the prompts on the dashboard. It looks like this on your mobile phone:

NIMC mobile app Vnin token
Virtual NIN button on NIMC mobile app

 

For a step-by-step process, check out the official guide on NIMC’s website.

To generate the vNIN token via USSD: dial *346*3*Your NIN*951641# on your mobile phone. An SMS response will be sent to you with your vNIN details which is active for up to 72 hours and can only be used once.

This means you and/or your customers would have to generate a new vNIN every time you need to use it.

How to use the vNIN Verification service on Verified.africa

  • Login to your dashboard via the portal and locate the ‘vNIN verification’ option under the list of services available to you. The process remains the same as the NIN verification service.
  • If you use services via our APIs, we will provide you with new API documentation to guide your integration. Don’t worry, this documentation is just like what you’re already used to. Read the guide here.
  • Upon integration, you can display our merchant ID (951641) to your customers. This is what they will use to generate the 16-digit vNIN on the NIMC MWS Mobile App or USSD.
  • Your customers will in turn input the generated 16-digit vNIN on your interface. With this, you will be able to make a call to our API and we will provide you with the details of the customer being verified.

 

Virtual NIN Generation Verification Generate VNIN

 

Critical Things to Note About vNIN

  • The vNIN generated with our Merchant ID can only be used once within the lifecycle of the token.
  • The vNIN expires after 72 hours.
  • The vNIN bears absolutely no resemblance to the original Raw NIN (11-digit number issued by the NIMC).
  • Your customers can only use the phone number registered with their regular NIN to log into the NIMC MWS App or via USSD.

That’s all of the information you need on the virtual NIN service for Nigeria. We will definitely update you on any further changes from NIMC.

Feel free to contact us if you need any help with your integration into the service.

New to Verified.africa? Join thousands of Africa’s best businesses who enjoy seamless customer verification on the go.

<Get Started>   <Learn More>

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

You may also like

Business Culture Economy International Interviews

FX Volatility Risk: Why Nigerian Businesses Must Be Cautious When Borrowing in Foreign Currency

post-image

By Anayo Nwosu

In a rapidly evolving economic landscape where currency fluctuations have become the norm, Nigerian businesses are constantly weighing their financing options. One of the biggest dilemmas faced by companies is whether to borrow in foreign currency or stick to naira-denominated loans. While foreign currency loans often come with significantly lower interest rates, they carry a hidden danger—FX Volatility Risk—which has led to the downfall of many companies.

The Temptation of Foreign Currency Loans

Imagine a manufacturing company in Nigeria that wants to expand by acquiring new machinery from an overseas supplier. The cost of this machinery is $1,000,000, and the foreign supplier agrees to ship the equipment with a one-year payment plan, provided a Nigerian bank issues a confirmed letter of credit as a guarantee. The loan comes with an attractive 7% annual interest rate, much lower than naira-denominated loans, which range from 19% to 32% per annum.

At first…

Read More
Business Culture Economy Government International

Peter Obi Engages Indonesian Leaders on Governance and Economic Transformation

post-image

Nigerian public figure and presidential hopeful Peter Obi has continued his engagements in Indonesia, holding high-level discussions with key political and economic leaders to gain insights into the country’s development strategies. His visit on February 3rd and 4th included meetings with top government officials who played significant roles in Indonesia’s economic transformation under Presidents Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Joko Widodo.

Obi’s discussions began with Agung Laksono, a former Minister, former Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and a former member of Indonesia’s Presidential Advisory Board. Laksono provided Obi with valuable insights into the governance strategies that shaped Indonesia’s rapid development, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning, disciplined execution, and a focus on measurable progress across key sectors.No alt text provided for this image

Read More
Business Economy Government

NDPC Marks 3rd Anniversary with Team Bonding Event to Strengthen Workplace Unity

post-image

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) recently celebrated its third anniversary with a specially organized team bonding event aimed at fostering stronger connections among its workforce. The event, which brought together staff members in a relaxed and engaging environment, provided an opportunity for them to reflect on their collective achievements, strengthen team spirit, and reinforce the Commission’s commitment to its mandate.

Held in a lively atmosphere, the event featured a mix of recreational activities, including friendly competitions, interactive games, and team-building exercises designed to enhance collaboration. Staff members also enjoyed a variety of food, drinks, music, and dance, creating a festive mood that encouraged camaraderie and networking beyond the usual work setting.

Speaking at the event, senior officials of the NDPC highlighted the significance of teamwork in achieving the Commission’s objectives. They emphasized that fostering a strong internal culture of cooperation and mutual support is essential to maintaining efficiency in regulatory…

Read More
Business Culture Economy Society Travels Trends

Lagos Governor Speaks on Expansion of Red Line Rail Service, Receives Mixed Public Reactions

post-image

 

By ANTHONY EMEKA NWOSU

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has unveiled a significant enhancement to the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line as part of the state’s ongoing efforts to revolutionize urban mobility. Effective from tomorrow, the Red Line will expand its service schedule, now offering five morning trips and four evening trips daily, an increase from the previous two morning trips. This step is aimed at improving the daily commute for residents traveling along the high-demand route from Agbado to Oyingbo.

This upgrade promises to ease the stress of navigating the city’s notorious traffic jams by reducing overall travel times. With a journey time of just 50 minutes between Agbado and Oyingbo, commuters will benefit from the convenience of waiting times as brief as two minutes at each station. The increased frequency of train services is expected to significantly enhance the efficiency and reliability of the Red…

Read More
Business Culture Economy Tourism Travels Trends

Radisson Hotel Group concludes record-breaking year with over 300 new signings and openings in 2024

post-image

Radisson Hotel Group (www.RadissonHotels.com) reported a record-breaking year in 2024 after adding almost 40,000 keys to its global brand portfolio, thereby achieving significant milestones and further strengthening its footprint around the world. Radisson Blu remained the leading upper upscale brand in Europe for the 13th consecutive year and the Group is now leading the upscale resort segment in EMEA.

VIDEO
Elie Younes, EVP & Global Chief Development Officer, walks you through Radisson Hotel Group’s 2024 Business Development highlights

 

Elie Younes, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Development Officer at Radisson Hotel Group, comments: “Despite global geopolitical…

Read More
Business Economy Gadgets News Security Society Software Technology Technology Trends

Zoracom Announces Strategic Collaboration with Exeon Analytics AG to Enhance Cybersecurity Resilience and Next-Gen NDR Solutions

post-image

 

Zoracom, Nigeria’s foremost Network Security Operations Center (NSOC) and leading cybersecurity firm, has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative aimed at advancing Next-Generation Network Detection & Response (NDR) capabilities and bolstering cybersecurity operational resilience. The company revealed plans for a strategic visit to its partner, Exeon Analytics AG, in Zürich, Switzerland, scheduled for 2025, as part of its commitment to innovation and excellence in the cybersecurity landscape.

In an official statement, Zoracom emphasized that this collaboration underscores its dedication to addressing the evolving challenges of cybersecurity in an increasingly digital world. The initiative is designed to not only enhance Zoracom’s service offerings but also to provide cutting-edge solutions to its growing customer base, which includes enterprises, government agencies, and organizations across various sectors.

Key Objectives of the Initiative

The strategic partnership with Exeon Analytics AG, a renowned Swiss-based leader in cybersecurity analytics, is expected to deliver significant benefits, including:

  1. Support for a Growing…
Read More
Business News

Why Every Business Needs a Website and Social Media Management – Menxtt Technology NG is the Digital Partner You Can Rely On

post-image

 

 

Imagine a customer hears about your business and wants to learn more. The first thing they do? Search for you online. If they find nothing—no website, no social media page—chances are they’ll move on to your competitor. In today’s fast-paced digital world, businesses that lack an online presence are practically invisible.

That’s why Menxtt Technology NG, a trusted IT solutions provider based in Ikeja, Lagos, is helping businesses of all sizes build strong digital footprints. From creating professional websites to managing social media pages and deploying smart business software, Menxtt ensures businesses don’t just exist online but thrive in the digital space.

According to Anthony Nwosu, a marketing consultant at Menxtt Technology NG, going digital is no longer an option—it’s a necessity.

“Think about it—when was the last time you tried a new restaurant, salon, or service without first checking them out online? Today’s customers do their research before making a decision….

Read More
Agriculture Business

John Dumelo: “Agriculture Has Given Me More Than I Ever Dreamed Of”

post-image

Acclaimed Ghanaian actor and entrepreneur John Dumelo has shed light on his decision to step away from acting, citing agriculture as a more rewarding and impactful pursuit. Dumelo, who once graced the screens in some of Ghana’s most popular films, revealed that he left the entertainment industry to focus on farming, a venture that has transformed his life in ways he never imagined.

In a candid statement, Dumelo expressed that the film industry was financially unsustainable for him, prompting him to seek a more stable and fulfilling career path. His passion for agriculture, coupled with a strong desire to fight hunger in his community, led him to invest in large-scale farming.

“The film industry was not enough to sustain me. Besides, I had a deep passion for agriculture and a desire to eliminate hunger in my community and beyond through my products. This passion led me to venture into poultry farming,…

Read More