Identity Firewall is a planned capability. Features described here reflect our design intent and may change as we work with partners.
Why it matters
Alerts tell you after. A lock helps before.
An alert lets you react quickly, but by then an account may already exist. Fraudsters move fast, and unwinding an account or loan opened in your name takes time.
Identity Firewall is designed to add a check at the point of account opening, so a locked identity stops the process until you approve it.
How it works
How Identity Firewall works
- 1
Lock from your app
Turn on the lock for your NIN, your BVN or both, at any time.
- 2
Verifier asks Verath
Before opening an account, a connected institution sends a quick lock check using the same privacy-preserving hash.
- 3
You approve or deny
Your phone asks “Is this you opening an account at this institution?” Tap Yes to continue or No to stop it.
- 4
Unlock once, for one institution
Opening an account yourself? Grant a one-time unlock for a named institution, then the lock returns.
Features
What’s included
Real-time owner approval
Coming soonApprove or decline a new account or loan in your name from a notification, in seconds.
Lock and unlock
Control the lock state of each enrolled identity yourself.
One-time unlock
Allow a single named institution to proceed, without lifting your lock for everyone.
Fast lock checks
Designed for a response fast enough to fit inside an account-opening flow.
Fails open, with a flag
Designed so a Verath outage never blocks banking: institutions get a flag instead of a hard stop.
Who it’s for
Designed for real Nigerian identity journeys
Fraud victims
Who want to stop further accounts being opened in their name.
Cautious owners
Who rarely open new accounts and want them blocked by default.
Banks and fintechs
Who want fewer fraudulent accounts at the point of opening.
FAQ
Questions, answered
When will Identity Firewall be available?
Identity Firewall is on our roadmap and depends on institutions and identity-ecosystem partners adopting lock checks. Join the waitlist and we will let you know as it progresses.
Will a lock stop me from using my existing accounts?
No. The lock is designed for new account openings. Your existing accounts are not affected.
How is this different from NIMC’s consent requests?
NIMC’s NINAuth asks for your consent when your NIN is verified. Identity Firewall is designed to cover account and loan openings at connected institutions, for your BVN as well as your NIN, and to show you every attempt in one place. We aim to work alongside NIMC’s services, not replace them.
Early access
Be first to know when your identity is used.
Verath is in development. Join the waitlist for early access, product updates and launch news.