The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has disclaimed involvement in the alleged activities of 12,000 Nigerian youths accused of selling Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) and National Identification Numbers (NINs) to financial technology companies operating in the country.
In a statement released over the weekend, the Commission clarified that the individuals in question were never officially affiliated, contracted, or authorised by NIMC to engage in any form of NIN registration, verification, or data-sharing activity.
It emphasized that the agency operates within strict regulatory frameworks designed to safeguard national identity data and protect citizens’ privacy.
ALSO READ
NIMC stated that the misuse of such sensitive identity information represents a serious breach of the Nigeria Data Protection Act and other existing cybersecurity laws.
It warned that both individuals and corporate bodies found engaging in the unauthorized sale or purchase of identity numbers would be subjected to criminal investigations and possible prosecution.
Furthermore, the agency called on fintech firms and digital service providers to tighten compliance with established data protection standards and to avoid onboarding users through unauthorized or unverified identity channels.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to ensuring the integrity of Nigeria’s identity ecosystem and urged the public to report suspicious activities tied to NIN enrollment or verification.
As regulatory bodies increase scrutiny on digital identity practices, the case continues to attract attention from law enforcement and digital rights advocates.
