The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has reaffirmed its commitment to providing secure identity services and protecting the citizens’ data per its mandate as Nigeria’s foundational identity provider.
In pursuit of this goal, the commission has implemented enhanced measures to safeguard the information stored in its National Identity Database.
A statement from the commission in Abuja yesterday said these actions align with the commitment outlined by the Director General, Abisoye Coker Odusote, upon assuming office in August 2023.
The DG, in the statement, underscored the need for the commission to collaborate with relevant security agencies to uphold the utmost data security standards and regulatory compliance.
“As part of these new security protocols, all Licensed Verification Agents, Front End Partners (FEPs) and Diaspora FEPs will undergo rigorous security vetting to ensure adherence to global best practices in identity management. Any FEPs in violation will face sanctions by established regulations and the nation’s laws.
“Furthermore, NIMC affirms that law enforcement authorities have been authorised to crack down on and apprehend individuals involved in online phishing schemes targeting citizens’ data from other sources.”
The commission said it has received numerous reports regarding fraudulent online platforms compelling Nigerians to submit their personal information for National Identification Number (NIN) modification or enrollment services.
It warned that perpetrators of the illegal activities would be apprehended and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
“The commission has, therefore, temporarily suspended the bypass enrollment process to prevent abuse and rectify any irregularities. NIMC will communicate with the public regarding the resumption of the bypass process later,” the statement added.
