The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has cautioned Nigerians against selling or disclosing their National Identification Numbers (NINs) to unauthorised individuals or entities, citing an alarming rise in identity fraud.
The warning follows revelations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that over 2,000 Nigerians had fallen victim to a growing syndicate that pays individuals between ₦1,500 and ₦2,000 in exchange for copies of their personal data. These details are then allegedly resold to Fintech companies for as much as ₦5,000.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, NIMC’s Head of Corporate Communications, Dr. Kayode Adegoke, described the development as “a serious security concern” and warned of the grave consequences for those who compromise their data.
“The NIMC will not be held responsible for any personal information shared by individuals, either directly or by proxy, for financial gain or inducement,” the statement read.
Dr. Adegoke reiterated that careless sharing of personal data exposes Nigerians to risks such as identity theft, financial fraud, and other cybercrimes. He urged citizens to treat their NINs with the same level of confidentiality as ATM PINs or passwords.
The commission also called on service providers to verify all NINs before granting access to any services, saying such verification is key to safeguarding user identity.
To help users better control their digital identity, NIMC recommended downloading the NINAuth App via Apple iOS or Google Play Store.
Adegoke concluded by stressing that identity security is a shared responsibility that must not be taken lightly.
