By David Akinmola
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has urged Nigerians to prioritise the protection of their personal data as demand for physical identification cards rises across the country.
This warning follows disturbing reports of widespread racketeering involving National Identification Numbers (NINs) and Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs). According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), an estimated 12,000 Nigerian youths have been implicated in schemes selling these sensitive details to fintech companies for as little as ₦5,000.
In a statement issued by its Head of Corporate Communications, Dr. Kayode Adegoke, the NIMC expressed deep concern over what it described as a growing “fraud scheme” where individuals offer between ₦1,500 and ₦2,000 to unsuspecting citizens in exchange for copies of their personal information, which is then resold.
“This is a serious security concern,” Adegoke said, stressing that the consequences for victims can be severe. “NIMC will not be held liable for any misuse or compromise of personal data shared voluntarily by individuals for financial inducements.”
He reminded the public that sharing NINs with unauthorised individuals or organisations is dangerous and warned that all NINs used to access services must first be verified through official channels.
To better protect their identity, Nigerians were advised to download the NIMC’s NIN Authenticator App—available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store. The app enables individuals to manage and control access to their personal data while also enhancing the security and use of their NINs.
Addressing concerns about the long-standing delay in issuing physical ID cards—nearly a decade since the last major rollout—NIMC attributed the lag to several challenges. These include limited funding, obsolete card personalisation equipment, and low public uptake due to a perceived lack of card value and inadequate public awareness.
Adegoke clarified that while the World Bank’s ID4D programme has supported Nigeria’s move toward a digital identity ecosystem, its assistance does not extend to physical card production.
However, the narrative is set to change. NIMC announced that it will begin issuing a new General Multipurpose ID Card (GMPC) starting October 2025. Unlike past efforts, the GMPC will be funded through a public-private partnership (PPP) involving commercial banks and service providers, reducing the financial burden on the federal government and improving project sustainability.
Preparations for the rollout are already underway. The Commission is upgrading its card personalisation infrastructure, including the deployment of high-speed, secure machines capable of processing large volumes of ID cards. Additionally, new ICAO-compliant infrastructure and modern card lifecycle management systems are being installed to meet international standards.
Adegoke revealed that the new GMPC will only be produced upon verified request to prevent unnecessary wastage and streamline logistics. The card will support access to government services such as G2P (government-to-person) cash transfers, healthcare, and more.
Designed with advanced security and utility features, the GMPC includes dual secure applets and 32 wallet slots for a variety of financial and non-financial transactions, increasing its usefulness to the average citizen. The distribution process will be multi-channel—facilitated through banks, partner institutions, and designated pickup centres—and supported by an online requisition and tracking platform for improved transparency.
Adegoke emphasised that only GMPCs issued directly by NIMC or its authorised partners will be legally valid. Any unauthorised production or printing of national ID cards is considered a criminal offence under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007.
He added that the new cards would also comply with international digital verification standards and come equipped with UV and Level 2 security features to ensure they can be authenticated in real-time using biometric scanners or UV-enabled verification devices approved by NIMC.
In light of the rising cases of identity theft and fraudulent use of personal data, the NIMC is calling on all Nigerians to remain vigilant, safeguard their identity documents, and refrain from selling or disclosing sensitive information to unauthorised parties.
“The safety of your data is your responsibility. Once compromised, the impact can be long-lasting,” Adegoke warned.
