The National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, has denied claims of a security breach involving Nigerians’ National Identification Numbers, NINs, and other personal information.
In a statement by its Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday, NIMC urged Nigerians to disregard unverified information capable of causing panic over the safety of their identity data.
Adegoke said the commission has measures in place to protect NINs and other personal information contained in the National Identity Database.
“Our systems are protected and the commission remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of citizens’ identity information,” he said. He advised Nigerians to use only approved channels for NIN verification and other identity-related services.
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Meanwhile, the NIMC Director-General, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, ordered a comprehensive investigation into the claims surrounding the alleged exposure of Nigerians’ identity information.
The investigation will determine whether any of the commission’s tokenisation verification agents have breached their licensing agreements, either directly or through sub-licensees, Adegoke said.
The investigation is expected to examine the activities of the relevant agents and determine whether any violation of NIMC’s licensing requirements occurred.
Coker-Odusote said the commission will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure that identity information entrusted to it is properly protected.
“NIMC will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the identity information entrusted to the commission is properly protected,” she said.
She reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to data protection and privacy, adding that NIMC will continue to strengthen measures against unauthorized access to citizens’ personal information.
NAN
