The National Identity Management Commission has called on Nigerians to ensure the safety of their data.
NIMC has noted with serious concern the recent statements on Nigerians selling their personal information, including that of the National Identification Number (NIN).
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) recently said that about 12,000 Nigerian youths are involved in Bank Verification Number (BVN) and NIN racketeering, selling each number to fintech for N5,000.
Responding, the NIMC, in a statement, its Head of Corporate Communications, Dr Kayode Adegoke, said: “This fraud scheme is largely driven by an army of young Nigerians offering a paltry payment of between N1500 and N2000 to their victims to make them surrender a copy of their information details to them and sell the same information to some fintech institutions for about N5000.”
The statement described the fraud as a serious security concern with grave consequences for the NIN holders.
“The NIMC wishes to state clearly that it will not be held responsible for any personal information shared by an individual directly or by proxy for financial gain or inducement,” he stated.
Adegoke, who said Nigerians have been informed repeatedly in the past not to disclose their NIN to any unauthorised individual or organisation, noted that any NIN presented to access services must be duly verified before granting such services.
“Further, the general public is by this notice enjoined to download the NINAuth App on either Apple iOS or the Google Play Store to enjoy seamless benefits, including but not limited to protection and security of the NIN, the power to control personal information on the NIN, and so many more,” he stated.
Responding to the non-issuance of a physical identification card after almost a decade, the Commission said the journey of card issuance has not been without hurdles, including funding constraints for end-to-end infrastructure development, outdated personalisation equipment that is unable to meet growing demand and low public uptake, due in part to limited card value propositions and inadequate awareness.
He clarified that while the World Bank’s ID4D initiative supports digital identity enrolment and backend systems, it does not cover card issuance.
Adegoke said the new General Multipurpose e-ID Card (GMPC), which is expected in October 2025, is being financed through PPP arrangements involving banks and service providers, relieving fiscal pressure on the government and ensuring long-term sustainability.
According to him, NIMC is finalising the upgrade of its personalisation infrastructure, including the deployment of high-speed, secure machines with enhanced output capacity, adding that ICAO infrastructure and the card life-cycle management system are also being modernised to align with international standards.
The NIMC Spokesperson said the new GMPC is produced only upon verified request, drastically minimising wastage.
He said the GMPC is positioned to support government services, such as G2P cash transfers, healthcare access and others.
Adegoke said it has dual secure applets and 32 wallet slots for layered non-financial and financial transactions, increasing flexibility and card value to citizens.
“Online requisition and tracking portals for user convenience and transparency and multi-channel distribution through banks, partner institutions and dedicated pickup centres,” he stated.
Adegoke said only the official GMPC issued by NIMC or its authorised partners is legally valid, saying unauthorised printing constitutes a criminal offence under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007.
According to him, the new National ID Card has also been repositioned from manual to digital verification standards. It will be layered with UV and Level 2 security features, ensuring each card can be easily verified in any location using NIMC-approved biometrics OR UV acceptance devices.
