ABUJA, NIGERIA — The National Identity Management Commission has dismissed viral social media reports alleging a breach of Nigeria’s National Identification Number database as false and unfounded, assuring Nigerians that their personal data remains secure.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commission’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Kayode Adegoke, in Abuja. He said the reports, which claimed that the NIN database had been compromised and that sensitive information of millions of Nigerians had been exposed, were fabricated and intended to cause panic and undermine public confidence in the Commission.
“The attention of the National Identity Management Commission has been drawn to viral social media reports alleging a breach of the NIN database. We wish to state categorically that these reports are false, unfounded, and mischievous. There has been no breach of the NIN database. The personal data of Nigerians in our custody remains secure and protected,” the statement read.
Adegoke said the Commission had conducted a thorough assessment of its systems and found no evidence of any unauthorised access or compromise. He said the NIN database was protected by robust security measures, including encryption, firewalls, and continuous monitoring, in line with international best practices.
“The NIMC operates one of the most secure databases in the country. Our systems are protected by state-of-the-art security infrastructure, and we have a dedicated team of cybersecurity professionals who monitor our systems round the clock. We take the protection of Nigerians’ data very seriously,” he stated.
The Commission urged the public to disregard the false reports and to rely only on information from its official channels. It also warned those spreading false information about its systems to desist or face legal action.
“We appeal to Nigerians to disregard these false reports and to rely only on information from our official social media pages and website. We also warn those who are spreading false information about our systems to desist forthwith, as the Commission will not hesitate to take legal action against anyone found culpable,” Adegoke said.
The NIMC also used the occasion to remind Nigerians of the importance of protecting their personal information, including their NIN, and urged them not to share such information with unauthorised persons or platforms.
“Your NIN is your identity. Please protect it. Do not share it with unauthorised persons or on unauthorised platforms. If you suspect that your NIN has been compromised, please contact our customer service team immediately,” the statement advised.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to the successful implementation of the National Identity Management System, which is critical to Nigeria’s digital economy, national planning, and security. It said it would continue to invest in technology and human capital to ensure the integrity and security of the NIN database.
“The NIMC remains committed to delivering on its mandate of providing a reliable and secure national identity management system for Nigeria. We will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure the success of this critical national project,” Adegoke said.
The incident highlights the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation in Nigeria, particularly on social media, where false claims can spread rapidly and cause unnecessary panic. The NIMC’s swift response is a reminder of the importance of verifying information before sharing it, and of the need for institutions to communicate promptly and transparently with the public when false claims are made about their operations. For now, Nigerians can rest assured that their NIN data is safe, and the Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting it.
