Bolt, alongside other ride-hailing companies like Uber and inDrive, plans to begin verifying passengers using their National Identification Number (NIN) by the fourth quarter of 2025.
This move aims to enhance safety for drivers and passengers by making riders traceable. Bolt’s Senior Public Policy Manager, Weyinmi Aghadiuno, revealed that the company is working closely with Lagos State Government and the Ministry of Transport to create a regulation that applies to the whole industry. The plan includes public sensitisation campaigns starting around Q3 or Q4 2025 to prepare passengers for the new verification process.
Lagos State is leading the way by requiring NIN verification not just for ride-hailing but for the entire public transport system. Aghadiuno expressed hope that other Nigerian cities will follow suit once Lagos implements the policy.
Drivers have long called for this measure after several tragic attacks on e-hailing drivers in cities like Port Harcourt and Abuja. The drivers’ union, AUATON, supports the NIN verification to improve security for their members.
Bolt had earlier announced plans for rider verification in 2024 but paused to seek broader industry-wide regulation. The company’s Country Manager, Osi Oguah, explained that if only one platform requires NIN verification, passengers might simply switch to others, undermining safety efforts. Therefore, collaboration with government regulators is key.
Oguah also stated that connecting to official databases like NIN and BVN will help identify bad actors and make ride-hailing safer for everyone. This could encourage more people to use these services, benefiting the entire industry.
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