The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has raised alarm over the growing misuse and illegal sale of national identity data.
This follows revelations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that at least 12,000 Nigerian youths are engaged in selling personal identity details, including National Identification Numbers (NIN) and Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), to fintech platforms.
Recall that the EFCC, in a statement, revealed an ongoing investigation into a large-scale fraud scheme in which youths across Nigeria, self-styled as ‘Account Suppliers’ or members of ‘KYC Group’, obtain personal identity documents from unsuspecting victims for as little as ₦1,500 to ₦2,000 and resell the data to certain fintech companies for around ₦5,000.
Reacting to the investigation, NIMC’s head of corporate communications, Kayode Adegoke, said the commission disowns the activities of the implicated individuals and will not be held responsible for any consequences arising from the misuse of personal information voluntarily given out by individuals.
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“The NIMC wishes to state clearly that it will not be held responsible for any personal information shared by an individual directly or by proxy for the purpose of financial gain or inducement. This development is not only of serious security concern but of grave consequences for the NIN holders,” the commission noted.
NIMC reiterated that Nigerians have been repeatedly warned not to disclose their NIN or other personal identifiers to unauthorized persons or platforms, even as the commission urged service providers to ensure proper verification protocols before granting access to services tied to personal data.
“Any NIN presented to access services must be duly verified before granting such services. Nigerians and service providers should note,” the statement added.
NIMC, however advised the public to be vigilant and to reject offers to act as account donors, warning that participating in such schemes, even unknowingly, may expose individuals to criminal liability and identity-related risks.
