How to Verify Someone's Identity in Nigeria Before Giving a Loan or Service
Three layers of checks that stop fake applicants: check the claim against the official record, check that a real person is present, and keep a record. A plain guide for lenders, landlords and any business that deals with people it cannot meet.
If you lend money, rent a flat, hire a rider or onboard sellers, one question comes before everything else: is this person who they say they are? Getting it wrong costs real money, and in Nigeria most of the damage comes from fake applications that used somebody else's details.
There are three layers to checking identity properly. Most businesses only do the first one.
Layer 1: check the claim against the official record
Ask for the person's BVN or NIN and check it against the official record. You are not looking at the card. You are confirming that the number exists and that the name, date of birth and phone number match what the person told you.
The same idea applies elsewhere:
- Businesses: check the CAC registration number and the company name.
- Payouts: check that the bank account name matches the person you are paying.
- Drivers: check the driver's licence against the record.
On IdentifyOrg, you can run these checks from a dashboard or an API: BVN verification, NIN verification, driver's licence checks and bank account verification.
Layer 2: check that a real person is present
A BVN and a photo of an ID can both be stolen. So the second layer asks for something that is hard to fake: a live selfie.
- A liveness check confirms a real human is in front of the camera right now, not a photo, a screen or a recording.
- A face match compares that live selfie to the photo on the ID, so you know the person holding the phone is the person on the card.
Layer 3: keep a record
Save the result and the time of every check. If a dispute comes up later, you can show exactly what you checked, when, and what the answer was. Do not keep more personal data than you need.
Check your first customer today. Create a free account and try every check with free test keys before you spend anything.
Make it part of sign-up, not a separate job
The best time to verify someone is while they are signing up, on their own phone. A hosted verification link lets you send a customer a link by SMS or WhatsApp. They enter their details, take a selfie, and you see a clear pass or fail. You can also embed the verification flow inside your own website or app.
A simple checklist
- Collect the BVN or NIN, name, date of birth and phone number.
- Check them against the official record and compare every field.
- Ask for a live selfie and match it to the ID.
- Decide your rule: what counts as a pass, what needs a human look, what is refused.
- Save the result.
Frequently asked questions
Is checking a BVN or NIN legal for a business in Nigeria?
Businesses regularly check these numbers with the person's knowledge and for a clear purpose such as onboarding or lending. Tell people why you are asking, keep only what you need, and protect it. Ask your legal adviser about your sector's specific rules.
What is the difference between a BVN check and a liveness check?
A BVN check confirms the number and the details tied to it. A liveness check confirms a real person is present right now. You need both, because a stolen number can pass the first and a photo cannot pass the second.
How long does verification take?
Record checks come back in seconds. A liveness selfie takes a customer under a minute on a phone.
How much does it cost?
You pay per check from a prepaid wallet, with no contract. See current prices on the pricing page.
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