The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued a stern warning to Nigerians, particularly residents of Anambra State, against sharing or selling their National Identification Number (NIN) for monetary gain. The warning follows reports of fraudulent individuals in Anambra collecting NINs from unsuspecting residents in exchange for cash.
In a statement released on Wednesday by its Head of Corporate Communications, Dr. Kayode Adegoke, the Commission confirmed that it acted swiftly upon receiving the reports. Working in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the culprits were apprehended and are currently being interrogated.
“This illegal collection of NINs is a clear violation of the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, the Nigeria Data Protection Act, and the Cybercrime Act,” the statement noted.
Dr. Adegoke stressed that the Federal Government has not authorized any individual, group, or platform to collect NINs in exchange for financial or material incentives. He further warned that citizens who willingly share their NINs for such purposes may also face sanctions.
“At no time should any NIN holder trade their identification number for money. Doing so is illegal and exposes the individual to identity theft, fraud, and other forms of cybercrime,” Adegoke stated.
The Commission reiterated previous advisories urging Nigerians to protect their personal data and avoid submitting their NINs to unverified websites or unauthorized agents. NIMC emphasized that the NIN is meant solely for legitimate access to government and private services, and its use must always be verified.
To combat data abuse, the Commission said it has implemented enhanced security protocols and continues to work closely with security agencies nationwide. NIMC encouraged citizens to report any suspicious activities related to NIN collection via its official communication channels:
Email: nimccustomercare@nimc.gov.ng
Phone: 0700-2255-646 or 01-923-000010
NIMC also commended security agencies for their ongoing efforts in safeguarding the integrity of the NIN enrollment and verification process. The Commission called on all Nigerians to remain vigilant and responsible in managing their digital identity.
As the country advances its digital identity infrastructure to improve national security and streamline access to services, the protection of personal information remains a collective responsibility.
