National Identity Commission Rejects Viral NIN Database Compromise Allegations

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has come out to refute widely circulated reports on various social media platforms claiming a security breach of Nigeria's National Identification Number (NIN) database.

Through a statement released by Kayode Adegoke, the Head of Corporate Communications for NIMC, and shared on its official X handle on Thursday, the Commission labeled these assertions as “false and unfounded.” It further clarified that the video at the center of the controversy is a rehashed report from 2024, which NIMC had already debunked. NIMC firmly stated, “The Commission National Identity Database (NIDB) has not been breached or compromised at any point.”

The commission emphasized its commitment to data protection, confirming that it employs a “robust, multi-layered security infrastructure” to safeguard the personal information of all registered citizens and legal residents, adhering strictly to global best practices. Expressing significant concern, NIMC highlighted the dangers posed by the propagation of unverified claims, cautioning that such misinformation could potentially misguide the public and induce unwarranted alarm. The statement concluded with a plea to the populace: “NIMC urges the public to disregard the video’s content and obtain information about the National Identity Management System only from NIMC’s official channels.”

Furthermore, the commission brought attention to its recently introduced NIN Authentication (NINAuth) system. This innovative suite of web, API, and mobile verification services is specifically engineered to bolster data security and enhance privacy for users. With NINAuth, NIMC explained that explicit consent from the NIN holder is now a mandatory requirement before any personal data can be shared for Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures or other verification needs. The Commission elaborated, stating, “With NINAuth, individuals can securely verify their identity for services such as SIM registration, immigration and passport processing, tax filings, and financial transactions—without unnecessarily exposing their raw NIN or personal data.”

This initiative, according to NIMC, aligns with its ongoing efforts to comply with the provisions of the NIMC Act 2026 and the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, both of which mandate the fair, lawful, and transparent management of personal data. Reaffirming its unwavering dedication to safeguarding the identity information of both Nigerian citizens and legal residents, NIMC pledged to collaborate continuously with relevant security agencies. This collaboration aims to further fortify its systems and enhance public awareness campaigns to combat misinformation.