The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has raised the alarm over an escalating crisis of identity theft, revealing that Nigerians are selling their National Identification Numbers (NIN) and personal data for as little as ₦1,500.
In a statement signed by Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, NIMC stated unequivocally:
“The NIMC wishes to state clearly that it will not be held responsible for any personal information shared by an individual directly or by proxy for the purpose of financial gain or inducement.”
This warning follows disclosures by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that an “army of young Nigerians” is enticing victims with paltry sums between ₦1,500 and ₦2,000 in exchange for their NIN and identity documents.
These are then sold on to Fintech operators for around ₦5,000, facilitating unauthorised account openings and complex fraud schemes.
Such transactions may seem trivial to those desperate for quick cash, but the implications are anything but.
According to the Nigeria Inter‑Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), fraudsters stole an estimated ₦400 million in 2024 through accounts opened with stolen identities, demonstrating how minor data concessions can yield major financial haemorrhage.
With Nigeria’s digital economy expanding rapidly—Fintech transactions alone surged by 85 percent in the first quarter of 2025—the allure of easy money feeds a burgeoning underworld of “Account Suppliers” and “KYC Groups” numbering over 12,000 nationwide.
Historically, NIMC has contended with opportunistic portals offering NINs, BVNs and biometric data for as low as ₦100. In June 2024, Paradigm Initiative exposed AnyVerify.com.ng as one such site peddling sensitive citizen data, prompting another round of stern advisories from the Commission.
Yet, despite repeated cautions—NIMC data shows over 117 million Nigerians have been enrolled since 2007—compliance remains piecemeal, and the thirst for extra income proves difficult to quell.
The EFCC has also sounded a separate alarm over sophisticated cyber‑fraud ruses involving fake airline ticket promotions.
Under the guise of 50 percent discounts and charitable donations, victims are lured into downloading malicious apps.
These apps harvest NIN, Bank Verification Number (BVN) and banking credentials, allowing fraudsters to siphon funds into microfinance accounts before victims realise their losses.
Given Nigeria’s porous cyber‑regulatory landscape, legal safeguards struggle to keep pace. While the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 provides a framework, enforcement is often reactive rather than preventive.
Experts argue for tighter controls on NIN disclosure, stricter fintech KYC verification and harsher penalties for data brokers.
“No one should surrender their NIN for a few peanuts,” advises cybersecurity analyst Dr. Amina Okafor. “This is nation‑building data, not a quick‑cash commodity.”
To mitigate the threat, NIMC urges all citizens to adopt its official NINAuth App—available on Apple iOS and Google Play—which offers encrypted NIN storage and real‑time verification tools.
The Commission emphasises that any NIN presented for service access must be authenticated via the app before any transaction proceeds.
Ultimately, safeguarding Nigeria’s digital identity demands collective vigilance.
As NINs become the gateway to essential services—from banking to telecommunications—the cost of complacency is measured not only in stolen naira but in undermined national security.
The NIMC and EFCC have issued their edicts; it is now up to every Nigerian to heed the warning and protect the integrity of the nation’s most critical database.
