The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has denied any role in an alleged fraud scheme involving over 12,000 Nigerian youths accused of selling National Identification Numbers (NINs) and Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) to fintech firms for as little as ₦5,000.
In a statement issued Monday through its official Facebook page, the Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, said the Commission would not be held liable for personal data willingly shared by individuals, whether directly or via third parties.
This response followed revelations from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) last Friday that a large-scale syndicate of so-called “account suppliers” was under investigation for trading personal identity details. According to the EFCC, the perpetrators reportedly pay unsuspecting individuals between ₦1,500 and ₦2,000 for identity documents, which are then used to open bank accounts and conduct fraudulent transactions, including fake investment schemes.
The anti-graft agency said the network recruits donors who surrender their NIN slips, BVNs, passport photos, and other credentials, which are exploited in cyber-enabled fraud. The EFCC has described the scale of the operation as a national security concern, confirming that arrests have been made and efforts are ongoing to trace stolen funds.
Amid public backlash and concerns about data protection, NIMC clarified that individuals bear full responsibility for any data shared for financial gain. Adegoke warned that the act of disclosing such personal information is risky and urged Nigerians to stop sharing their NINs with unauthorized entities.
To boost security, NIMC encouraged Nigerians to download the NIN Authenticator App (NINAuth), which allows users to manage and monitor access to their identification details.
The EFCC reiterated its warning against acting as account donors, stressing that the practice constitutes a national threat and would attract strict legal consequences.
