NIMC denounces allegations of data compromise, advises Nigerians to avoid phishing sites
By Blessing Emmanuel, Abuja
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has firmly denounced recent allegations regarding the compromise of sensitive data of Nigerian citizens. In a statement released today, the Commission reassured the public that the data of Nigerians has not been compromised and that it has not authorised any website or entity to sell or misuse the National Identification Number (NIN) or any other identity information.
NIMC identified several unauthorised websites—idfinder.com.ng, Verify.ng/signin, championtech.com.ng, trustyonline.com, and anyverify.com—as data harvesters operating without its approval. The Commission urged Nigerians to disregard any claims or services offered by these sites, warning that they are potentially fraudulent. Data provided to these websites by the public is likely being gathered and stored illegally.
The Commission highlighted that it has implemented robust measures to protect the nation’s database from cyber threats. NIMC’s infrastructure meets the stringent ISO 27001:2013 Information Security Management System Standard and undergoes annual recertification. The Commission also adheres strictly to the Nigerian Data Protection Law to ensure the security and privacy of citizens’ data.
NIMC through its Head, Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke advised Nigerians to avoid giving their data to unauthorised and phishing sites, as doing so poses significant risks of data harvesting and individual data compromise. The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to upholding ethical standards in data protection in line with federal government directives and data privacy regulations. Additionally, licensed partners or vendors are not authorised to scan or store NIN slips but are instead directed to verify NINs through approved channels.
The Commission is actively collaborating with security operatives to apprehend those masquerading as online vendors and will ensure they face the full extent of the law.
NIMC called on the public to remain vigilant against false information and rely on verified sources for accurate updates. The Commission remains dedicated to providing secure and reliable identity management, maintaining the highest level of security for its systems and databases, which are considered critical national assets.
