News Highlights:
- NIMC has warned Nigerians against giving out their NINs for money, calling it illegal and punishable by law.
- Several individuals involved in the unauthorised NIN collection in Anambra have been arrested and are under investigation.
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has cautioned Nigerians against disclosing their National Identification Numbers (NINs) to unauthorised individuals or organisations in exchange for money.
This warning follows reports from Anambra State where some residents were allegedly enticed to submit their NINs for financial compensation—an act NIMC describes as illegal under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, the Data Protection Act, and the Cybercrime Act.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, confirmed that the illegal scheme had been flagged and that arrests had already been made with the support of the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force.
“The perpetrators behind the unlawful NIN collection have been apprehended and are undergoing interrogation. They will face the full weight of the law,” the statement read.
NIMC stressed that neither it nor the Federal Government has authorised any individual or group to collect NINs for financial rewards. It warned that those involved in such activities would be prosecuted accordingly.
“At no point should NIN holders release their numbers in exchange for money. Such actions are criminal and punishable,” the Commission warned.
Reiterating earlier advisories, NIMC urged the public to avoid sharing personal data, including NINs, with unverified platforms or persons, as this could lead to identity theft and other cybercrimes.
The Commission also reminded Nigerians that NINs should only be used by the holders to access verified government or private sector services. Any suspicious or unauthorised NIN collection should be promptly reported through official NIMC channels.
