The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has dismissed as false and unfounded a viral video claiming that Nigeria’s National Identification Number (NIN) database has been breached and citizens’ personal information exposed.
The Commission said the video currently circulating online is a recycled report from 2024, which it had previously debunked.
In a statement issued by its Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, NIMC said the National Identity Database (NIDB) has not been breached or compromised, assuring Nigerians and legal residents that their identity information remains protected by multi-layered security systems.
NIMC: Ignore the Viral Video
NIMC said it became aware of a video circulating on social media alleging that the NIN database had been compromised.
The Commission described the claim as misleading and warned that the spread of unverified information could create unnecessary fear and panic among Nigerians.
NIMC therefore urged members of the public to disregard the video and obtain information concerning the National Identity Management System only through the Commission’s verified communication channels.
The Commission said its systems are protected by security infrastructure designed to safeguard the personal information of registered citizens and legal residents in line with international best practices.
NIMC Orders Investigation Into Verification Agents
While denying that its National Identity Database has been breached, NIMC said its Director-General, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the claims.
The investigation will examine whether any of NIMC’s licensed tokenisation verification agents breached their licensing agreements, either directly or through sub-licensees.
According to reports citing NIMC, the probe is intended to establish whether there was any violation by agents involved in the identity-verification ecosystem.
This means the Commission is investigating the claims surrounding possible unauthorised handling of identity information while maintaining that its central database itself has not been compromised.
What Is NINAuth?
Amid the renewed concerns over NIN data security, NIMC also highlighted its recently launched NIN Authentication (NINAuth) platform.
NINAuth is a suite of web, API and mobile verification services designed to provide a more secure way of verifying identities and accessing government and other approved services.
The Commission said the platform provides an official channel for organisations to integrate with NIMC’s backend infrastructure while giving individuals greater control over how their personal information is used.
Nigerians Must Give Consent Before Data Is Shared
One of the key features highlighted by NIMC is the requirement for explicit consent from NIN holders before their information can be shared for Know Your Customer (KYC) processes or other verification purposes.
According to the Commission, this is intended to strengthen privacy and give individuals greater control over their identity information.
Through NINAuth, individuals can verify their identities for services such as:
- SIM registration
- Immigration and passport processing
- Tax-related services
- Financial transactions
- Other approved identity-verification services
NIMC said the system is designed to reduce unnecessary exposure of raw NIN information and other personal data.
NIMC Cites New Data Protection Laws
The Commission said its approach to identity verification and data protection is guided by the NIMC Act, 2026, and the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.
According to NIMC, the laws require personal information to be handled in a fair, lawful and transparent manner.
The Commission said it would continue working with relevant security agencies and stakeholders to strengthen the protection of citizens’ identity information and combat misinformation.
What Should Nigerians Do?
For now, NIMC is asking Nigerians not to panic over the viral video and to avoid relying on unverified social media claims about the safety of their NIN information.
The Commission also advised Nigerians to use only approved channels for NIN verification and other identity-related services.
This is particularly important because unauthorised websites and services claiming to offer NIN verification can expose users to additional privacy and fraud risks.
NIMC has previously warned Nigerians against using unauthorised platforms for identity-related services.
How to Contact NIMC
NIMC said members of the public who have questions or concerns about their NIN or personal information can contact the Commission through its official channels.
The contact details provided include:
Toll-free line: 0800 08000616462
Email: ieu@nimc.gov.ng
Email: actu@nimc.gov.ng
NIMC also urged Nigerians to follow its verified social media platforms and official website for authentic updates.
The Bottom Line
The viral claim that Nigeria’s NIN database has been breached has been denied by NIMC.
The Commission says the National Identity Database has not been compromised and that its security infrastructure remains in place to protect citizens’ personal information.
At the same time, NIMC has ordered an investigation into whether any licensed verification agents or sub-licensees breached their agreements.
For Nigerians, the safest approach is to avoid forwarding unverified claims and use only NIMC’s official channels when checking information about NIN and identity services.
