The National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, has debunked a video currently circulating on social media alleging a breach of the National Identification Number, NIN, database.
The Commission described the claim as false and unfounded.
This was contained in a press release issued on September 23, 2026, and signed by its Head, Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, PhD.
According to the statement, the viral video is a recycled news story first reported in 2024 and duly disclaimed by the Commission at the time.
“The Commission National Identity Database (NIDB) has not been breached or compromised at any point. NIMC maintains robust, multi-layered security infrastructure to protect the personal data of every registered citizen and legal resident, in line with international best practice,” the statement said.
NIMC said it views the circulation of unverified claims with concern, given its capacity to mislead the public and cause unnecessary panic.
The Commission urged the public to disregard the video’s content and obtain information about the National Identity Management System only from its official channels.
It also announced that it recently launched NIN Authentication, NINAuth, described as a cutting-edge suite of services spanning web, API and mobile verification, designed to enhance data security, protect privacy and simplify access to government services.
According to NIMC, the platform serves as its official channel for integrating with its backend infrastructure, adding a stronger layer of protection and giving individuals greater control over their personal information.
“The NINAuth requires explicit consent from the NIN holder before sharing data for Know Your Customer, KYC, processes or other verification. This reinforces transparency and user autonomy across the identity ecosystem,” the Commission said.
It added that 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.
NIMC said the initiative reflects its compliance with the recently enacted NIMC Act, 2026, and the Nigeria Data Protection Act, NDPA, 2023, which mandate fair, lawful and transparent handling of citizens’ personal data.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to protecting the identity information of every Nigerian and legal resident and said it will continue to work with relevant security agencies to strengthen its systems and combat misinformation.
Members of the public with questions or concerns were advised to contact NIMC through its official website, toll-free line 0800 0800616462, emails [email protected] and [email protected], and verified social media channels.