The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has dismissed reports circulating online that its National Identification Number (NIN) database was hacked.
The commission described the viral video making the claim as false, explaining that the footage was an old report from 2024 that had previously been debunked.
NIMC made this known in a statement issued by its Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, and shared on the commission’s official X account on Thursday.
According to the commission, the National Identity Database has not suffered any security breach or compromise.
“The Commission National Identity Database (NIDB) has not been breached or compromised at any point,” NIMC stated.
The agency explained that the database is secured by what it described as a “robust, multi-layered security infrastructure” designed to protect the personal information of registered Nigerians and legal residents.
It added that the security measures were maintained in accordance with international best practices.
NIMC also warned Nigerians against spreading unverified information, noting that such claims could cause unnecessary fear and mislead members of the public.
“NIMC urges the public to disregard the video’s content and obtain information about the National Identity Management System only from NIMC’s official channels,” the commission said.
The commission further highlighted its NIN Authentication (NINAuth) platform, which it said provides web, API and mobile verification services aimed at improving data security and protecting users’ privacy.
According to NIMC, the system requires the consent of a NIN holder before personal information can be shared for Know Your Customer procedures and other identity verification purposes.
“With NINAuth, individuals can securely verify their identity for services such as SIM registration, immigration and passport processing, tax filings, and financial transactions, without unnecessarily exposing their raw NIN or personal data,” the commission added.
NIMC said the initiative also supports compliance with the NIMC Act 2026 and the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the identity information of Nigerians and legal residents while working with relevant security agencies to strengthen its systems and tackle misinformation.
