NIMC Denies NIN Database Breach Claims Amid Misinformation

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has officially denied allegations regarding a breach of Nigeria's National Identification Number (NIN) database. Kayode Adegoke, the Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, issued this denial in a statement on the commission's official X account on September 24.

He clarified that the video circulating on social media was not new but a recycled clip from 2024, which had already been addressed by the commission. NIMC highlighted its multi-layered security infrastructure designed to protect the personal data of registered citizens and legal residents.

The commission expressed concern that unverified claims could cause unnecessary public panic. Additionally, NIMC announced the launch of the NINAuth platform, which allows NIN holders to give explicit consent before their personal data is shared for verification processes.

This initiative aims to comply with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and enhance the security of identity verification for various services.