The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has firmly denied any involvement in the sale or unauthorized distribution of Nigerians’ sensitive data, including the National Identification Number (NIN), following concerns about potential data breaches.
In a statement released on Saturday, signed by Kayode Adegoke, NIMC’s Head of Corporate Communications, the commission reassured the public that Nigerians’ data has not been compromised despite recent reports raising alarms over the sale of personal information.
The reassurance follows a recent claim by Paradigm Initiative, a pan-African social enterprise, which discovered a website, AnyVerify.com.ng, allegedly engaged in the illegal sale of personal data such as NINs, Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), and other confidential details. The website was reportedly offering access to these sensitive records for as little as N100, which Paradigm Initiative described as a severe violation of privacy rights.
The organisation raised concerns over the growing number of unauthorized websites selling or distributing Nigerians’ personal and financial information, including idfinder.com.ng, Verify.ng/signin, championtech.com.ng, and trustyonline.com, among others. These platforms, according to NIMC, are not accredited to access or manage citizens’ sensitive data.
NIMC strongly advised Nigerians to ignore any claims made by these websites and to refrain from submitting personal information to them, as they are considered fraudulent. The commission warned that data submitted to such sites would likely be harvested and stored for illicit purposes.
Protecting Nigerians’ Data
Addressing concerns over data security, NIMC reassured the public that it has implemented state-of-the-art infrastructure to protect Nigeria’s identity management database from cyber threats. The database meets the rigorous ISO 27001:2013 standard for Information Security Management Systems and undergoes annual recertification. The commission stressed that it adheres strictly to the Nigerian Data Protection Law, which governs how citizens’ personal data is managed and protected.
In addition, NIMC emphasized that only its licensed partners are permitted to verify NINs through authorized channels and that these vendors are prohibited from scanning or storing NIN slips.
Government’s Commitment to Upholding Privacy
The commission has pledged to continue working closely with law enforcement agencies to track down and prosecute those behind these fraudulent websites. NIMC reiterated that it will ensure that anyone involved in compromising the privacy of Nigerians will face legal action.
NIMC further urged the public to stay vigilant against fake information and advised Nigerians to rely only on verified sources for updates. The commission reiterated its commitment to ensuring the security of the identity management system and safeguarding the nation’s most valuable data assets, as these systems are crucial to national security.
In conclusion, the NIMC has reassured Nigerians that it is fully committed to upholding the highest standards of data protection, and will continue to provide secure and trustworthy identity management services in line with government regulations.
