FG investigates alleged NIMC data breach

The Federal Government has launched an investigation into the alleged data breach at the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), which compromised the personal information of Nigerian citizens.

Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, disclosed this via his X account on Wednesday.

The minister said the NIMC and the National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) have commenced a probe into the matter.

On June 20, Paradigm Initiative, a pan-African social enterprise, raised the alarm about the alleged illegal sale of sensitive personal data, including National Identification Numbers (NINs), Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), and other private information of Nigerian citizens, for a mere N100.

The organisation accused a prominent website of illegally trading Nigerians’ personal and private information.

On June 23, NIMC spokesperson Mr. Kayode Adegoke clarified that the alleged data breach did not occur and Nigerians’ data remained secure.

A senior manager at Paradigm Initiative, Adeboye Adegoke, in a television interview, revealed that the personal data of the minister was purchased on certain websites for a mere N100.

Reacting to the development, Tijani said he had engaged his colleague in the Ministry of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, adding that they are on top of the matter.

Tijani said: “Second, the NDPC, a year-old agency under my supervision as minister, has over the last few months created data compliance mechanisms for all MDAs and has since started a thorough investigation as to the circumstances surrounding this alleged breach.”