NIMC Warns Nigerians Against Selling NIN Amid Rising Data Fraud

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued a stern warning to Nigerians against selling or carelessly sharing their National Identification Numbers (NIN), as incidents of identity fraud continue to rise.

This advisory follows revelations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which uncovered that over 2,000 Nigerians have fallen victim to a growing fraud scheme. In this scheme, scammers offer victims between ₦1,500 and ₦2,000 in exchange for their personal data, which is then resold to Fintech companies for as much as ₦5,000.

In a statement quoting the EFCC’s findings, NIMC noted:

> “This fraudulent activity is driven by a network of young Nigerians who entice unsuspecting individuals with meager sums to obtain copies of their personal data, which are then sold to Fintech institutions for higher profits.”

Speaking from Abuja on Sunday, NIMC’s Head of Corporate Communications, Dr. Kayode Adegoke, described the trend as a significant security threat with potentially severe consequences for those involved.

> “NIMC wishes to make it unequivocally clear that it will not be liable for any consequences resulting from the unauthorized sharing or sale of personal information by individuals—whether directly or through third parties—for financial incentives,” Adegoke stated.

He cautioned that such disclosures leave citizens vulnerable to identity theft, financial fraud, and various other criminal activities. He further reminded the public that the Commission has repeatedly warned against sharing NINs with unauthorized individuals or organizations.

In addition, NIMC urged all service providers to rigorously verify any NIN presented before granting access to services, emphasizing that proper verification is essential in safeguarding users’ identities.

To enhance data security and streamline verification, the agency encouraged Nigerians to download the NINAuth App, available on the Apple iOS App Store and Google Play Store.

Adegoke concluded by emphasizing that safeguarding digital identity is a collective responsibility, urging citizens to treat their NINs with the same confidentiality as their ATM PINs or online passwords.

Punch

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