The Federal Government is investigating the alleged unauthorized sale of Nigerians’ National Identification Number (NIN) data, which has sparked concerns about privacy and economic impacts. Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has discussed the issue with Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. They oversee the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), responsible for Nigeria’s identity database.
Dr. Tijani expressed confidence in efforts to safeguard national identity data and acknowledged ongoing inquiries by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC). Paradigm Initiative flagged instances of NINs and other personal data allegedly sourced from government databases being sold online.
Gbenga Sesan, from Paradigm Initiative, confirmed the sale of sensitive data, including officials’ NIN slips, to highlight the severity. Despite NIMC denying security breaches, concerns persist over data protection. Reports identified a website exploiting NIMC’s database for financial gain, prompting NDPC scrutiny of NIMC’s licensees.
Dr. Tijani emphasized the need for a robust Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and improved data exchange protocols across government agencies. He outlined initiatives to integrate technology into public sector operations since assuming office.
The Ministry and NIMC warned against sharing data with unauthorized sites but disagreed on data sources with Paradigm Initiative. Experts noted risks from unauthorized data access and reselling services, underscoring the need for stricter oversight.
