Imagine a scenario where you’re hiring for a new position in your company, and you come across a candidate with an impressive resume and glowing recommendations.
However, you can’t shake off a nagging feeling of uncertainty about their past. How can you be sure that the information provided is accurate and that the candidate is trustworthy? This is where background check companies come in.
In Nigeria, the prevalence of fraudulent activities and the need for a reliable workforce has made background checks a critical aspect of the hiring process. However, with the increasing number of background check companies in the country, choosing the right one that fits your needs can be overwhelming.
This article will explore the essential factors to consider when selecting a background check company in Nigeria. By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to make an informed decision and ensure that your company hires qualified and trustworthy individuals.
What are background checks?
In today’s competitive job market, making informed hiring decisions is crucial for the success and safety of any organisation. However, relying solely on a candidate’s resume and interview performance may not provide a complete picture of their suitability for a position. This is where background checks prove their worth.
A background check is a rigorous process that delves into an individual’s personal, professional, and criminal history. By scrutinising public records, criminal records, employment and educational histories, and other relevant information, background checks can provide employers, landlords, and other organisations with a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s identity, character, and past behaviour.
The primary objective of a background check is to mitigate any potential risks posed by an individual to the organisation, its employees, and its clients. Employers and other organisations conduct background checks to verify a candidate’s claims are accurate, ensure compliance with legal requirements, and protect their brand reputation.
In addition, background checks may be necessary for pre-employment screening, security clearance, adoption, immigration, and licensing purposes.
While the scope and depth of a background check may vary depending on the purpose and jurisdiction, common information included in a background check includes criminal history, credit history, driving record, employment history, education, and references.
List of top background checks companies in Nigeria
- MacTay Background Check
- Youverify
- Background Check International
- VerifyMe Nigeria
- Fort Knox Verification and Check Limited
- 360 Verify
- Trapezoid Limited
- Klinsheet Consulting Limited
MacTay Background Check
As Nigeria’s leading background checks and verification service provider, MacTay prides itself on providing fast, reliable, professional and legally compliant verification services for individuals and businesses.
MacTay offers a range of screening solutions that are tailored to meet the specific needs of employers and individuals alike. These include Identity Verification, Criminal Record Checks, Guarantor’s Verification Checks, NYSC Certificate Verification, Credit Checks, and Address Verification.
MacTay’s background checks and verification services are backed by over 40 years of experience, and the company has completed over 500 projects for more than 35 trusted clients; this makes them reliable and trustworthy.
Key services:
- MacTay Verification Bouquet
- Criminal records check
- Identity verification
- Guarantor’s verification checks,
- NYSC certificate verification
- Credit checks
- Address verification
Location: 5 Prince Adelowo Adedeji St, Peninsula 106104, Lagos.
Phone: +2349139385550
Youverify
Youverify is an innovative solution that enables businesses to automate their Know Your Customer (KYC) processes. The platform helps banks and startups to approve the right customers and fight fraud using data while also confirming the identity and physical addresses of both individuals and businesses.
With its AI-powered identity document verification and facial biometrics comparison technology, Youverify provides a high level of accuracy and security. Additionally, the platform can cross-check information against more than 300 databases locally and globally.
Youverify is a valuable addition to Africa’s digital industry, offering a single API for identity and physical address verification and partnering with over 20,000 field verification officers to ensure that physical addresses are verified in less than 48 hours.
Key services:
- Identity Verification
- Address Verification
- Know your customers
- Workflow automation
- Fraud detection
- Transaction Monitoring
Location: 1st Floor, Sum House, 350 Borno Way, Yaba, Lagos 101212
Phone: +234814797 3350
Background Check International
Background Check International (BCI) is a Nigerian-based company that specialises in background screening. Established in April 2005, it is the first broad-spectrum and exclusive background screening company in Nigeria.
BCI is committed to ensuring moral rectitude in all aspects of life by checkmating fraud and deceit in business. They meet professional standards of competence across six key areas, including consumer protection, legal compliance, client education, product standards, service standards, and general business practices.
BCI is also proud to be recognised as the first African member of the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA).
Key services:
- Employment check
- Criminal record check
- Expatriate background check
- Insurance claims verification
- Vendors background check
Location: Ikeja, Aguda 100212, Lagos: 1 Adekunle Owobiyi Close
Phone: +2347061113858
VerifyMe Nigeria
VerifyMe is a digital identity verification service provider catering to a diverse range of industries and markets, including retail. The company offers decision-makers tools to assess the financial sustainability of customers and employment candidates.
Their services are available through an API and a Managed Verification Platform (MVP). VerifyMe uses reliable data sources like the Nigerian Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Bank Verification Number (BVN), and Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to validate identities.
Key services:
- Identity verification
- Address verification
- Employee & staff verification
- Enrolment services
- Guarantor verification
Location: 1st floor, Cashcraft building, 270 Murtala Muhammed Way, Alagomeji-Yaba 100001, Lagos.
Phone: +23418880159
Fort Knox Verification and Check Limited
Fort Knox Verification and Checks Services Limited is an outsourced service provider that offers reliable and high-quality background check services to help organisations minimise risks and losses due to fraud, theft, and workplace violence.
Their strategic initiative combines security expertise with a pan-African operational spread to achieve timely and comprehensive background checks.
Fort Knox Verification’s services are designed to improve clients’ comprehensive security programs and assure the integrity of their workforce, guaranteeing the safety and security of their work environment, information systems, and the continuity of their business.
Key services:
- Employment check
- Criminal record check
- Professional reference check
- Due diligence
- Claims/Death verification
Location: 3 Murphy Atsepoyi St, Off Ramat Crescent, Ogudu,GRA. Lagos.
Phone: +234(0)7010001000
360 Verify
360 Verify by Proten is a leading provider of fully customisable 360 background check services to businesses and individuals of all sizes and across all industries.
With a reputation for world-class service and expertise that spans over five years, 360 Verify is dedicated to helping clients plug information leakages and prevent potential employee fraud.
Their technology-driven processes leverage a wide range of data sources to give businesses the fastest turnaround time in the industry and help them stay ahead of the background information curve.
Key services:
- Past Employers check
- Business credit check
- Domestic staff check
- Verification of incorporation
- Tenancy check
Location: 11a, Mojidi Street, Ikeja, Lagos.
Phone: +2348120012966
Trapezoid Limited
Trapezoid Limited is a professional background check company registered in Nigeria that specialises in various kinds of background checks, including credentials, bio-data, employment records, and vital documents verification.
Their mission is to provide their clients with innovative solutions and services for better hiring or engagement decision-making.
They aspire to be Africa’s leading expert in the background checks industry by adhering to strict industry standards and values that include professionalism, integrity, and innovation.
Key services:
- Credentials verification
- Bio-Data verification
- Address verification
- Employment records check
- Reference checks
Location: 39, Opebi Road, Ikeja, Lagos
Phone: +2347088596164
Klinsheet Consulting Limited
Klinsheet Consulting Limited is a reputable HR firm in Nigeria specializing in Background Check services, Recruitment, Training, Business Advisory, and Outsourcing. Their focus on delivering exceptional value to their clients is reflected in their over six years of experience in the industry.
With their innovative approach and use of automated processes, they are equipped to handle all HR problems. Klinsheet’s team of experts are committed to providing support for projects, processes, and people, making them an ideal services provider. Trust Klinsheet Consulting Limited for all your HR needs.
Key services:
- Academic verification
- Criminal check
- Credit check
- NYSC verification
- Guarantor/reference check
- Previous employer check
Location: Abbey Mortgage Bank Building 51, Okota Road, Okota-Isolo, Lagos.
Phone: +2347014636348
Factors to consider when selecting a background check company in Nigeria
When selecting a background check company in Nigeria, there are several factors to consider, including:
- Cost: While cost should not be the only determining factor, it is important to consider the pricing of the services offered by the background check company. Some companies may offer low-cost services, but this may come at the expense of accuracy and reliability. On the other hand, more expensive services may not always guarantee quality results. Therefore, it is important to balance cost and quality.
- Turnaround time: Depending on your needs, you may require quick turnaround times for the background check results. A reliable company should be able to provide you with fast and accurate results within a reasonable time frame.
- Methodology: It is important to ensure that the company uses legal and ethical methods to obtain the information needed. The company should have a well-established and transparent process for verifying information and conducting checks.
- Accuracy: The background check company should have a proven track record of providing accurate and reliable information. This can be verified by checking reviews and feedback from previous clients.
- Expertise: The company should have knowledgeable and experienced staff who are trained to conduct background checks and interpret the results. A background check company with expertise in your industry or sector may also be preferable.
- Technology: A reliable background check company should be up-to-date with the latest technology and data sources to provide the most accurate and reliable results. They should have secure systems for storing and transmitting data, as well as secure methods of communication with clients.
Over to you
Choosing the right background check company in Nigeria can make a significant difference in protecting your business from negligent hiring and fraud.
By considering factors such as cost, turnaround time, methodology, accuracy, expertise, and technology, you can select the best company that fits your specific needs.
Conducting a thorough background check is a crucial step in the hiring process, and selecting the right company is just as important. It’s over to you now to take action and choose the best background check company for your business.