Nigeria’s national identity verification system has undergone a sudden and unexplained overhaul, leaving citizens, banks, telecom operators, and fintech companies scrambling for answers.
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has quietly taken down its long-standing Mobile Web Service (MWS) verification portal, mws.nimc.gov.ng, while its official mobile app has disappeared from both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Despite the sweeping implications, the agency has issued no public statement to explain the disappearance or clarify what comes next.
Technext confirmed that repeated attempts to access the MWS portal returned persistent error messages. Searches on major app stores show that the previous NIMC app is no longer listed. As of publication time, the platform remains inaccessible.
The timing coincides with the recent launch of NINAuth, a new digital identity verification platform unveiled by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
NINAuth: A Modern Digital ID System That Arrived Without Context
NINAuth is positioned as Nigeria’s next-generation identity verification system. It offers:
- Tokenised identity authentication
- Digital ID display
- Facial matching and biometric checks
- Direct integration with the National Identity Database
- Stronger data protection and modern security protocols
The platform aligns with global digital ID standards, promising better security and less exposure of raw personal data.
But while the technology itself may be a step forward, the rollout has been anything but transparent.
A Sudden Shutdown With No Communication
Key questions remain unanswered:
- When exactly did the MWS portal go offline?
- Is this a permanent shutdown or a temporary technical issue?
- Why was the NIMC mobile app removed?
- Has the old system been officially retired?
- How should institutions migrate to NINAuth?
NIMC has not addressed any of these concerns publicly.
The absence of communication leaves millions of Nigerians and hundreds of institutions in limbo.
Banks, Telecoms, and Fintechs Face a Risky Gap
The old MWS infrastructure underpins essential national services:
- Know Your Customer (KYC) verification for banks
- SIM registration for telecom operators
- Customer onboarding for fintech apps
- Identity checks for government services
These sectors depend on predictable, stable identity verification systems.
Switching to a new platform like NINAuth is not a simple plug-and-play upgrade. It requires:
- API changes
- Updated documentation
- Authentication redesign
- New integration pipelines
- Adequate testing and rollout timelines
None of this information has been released.
Poor Communication Could Trigger Operational Disruptions
Identity infrastructure is not optional. It is foundational. When such a critical system goes offline without explanation, the consequences ripple across the entire economy.
Digital infrastructure requires:
- Predictability
- Stability
- Advance notice
- Clear migration guidance
Countries like India (Aadhaar) and Kenya (Huduma Namba) communicated changes ahead of time—even when those transitions were controversial. Nigeria’s silence reflects either disorganisation or a disregard for transparency.
Neither is good news for a country pushing digital adoption.
A Shift From Web-Based to App-Centric Could Create Barriers
One notable change is structural:
MWS was web-based, enabling relatively open integration.
NINAuth appears app-centric, requiring backend authorisation and tighter access controls.
While this may improve security, it could also introduce new challenges:
- Smaller companies may struggle to meet integration requirements.
- Limited smartphone access in rural communities could lock people out.
- An app dependency increases digital inequality.
Without proper guidance, the transition risks excluding both institutions and individuals.
Nigerians Deserve Answers
If MWS has been officially replaced by NINAuth, the public deserves:
- A clear announcement
- Reasons for the transition
- Benefits and expected improvements
If the shutdown is temporary, NIMC should communicate a timeline for restoration.
If the mobile app has been retired, users should be informed of next steps.
Organisations urgently need:
- Technical documentation
- API access for NINAuth
- Migration timelines
- Integration guidelines
These are not optional, they are the basics of responsible digital infrastructure governance.
