ABUJA — The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has dismissed a viral video circulating on social media alleging a major security breach of the National Identification Number (NIN) database, describing the claims as false, unfounded, and misleading.
In an official statement issued on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, by NIMC Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, the commission clarified that the viral video is a recycled report originally published in 2024, which had been previously investigated and disclaimed by the agency.
Adegoke maintained that the National Identity Database (NIDB) remains secure and uncompromised, backed by a robust, multi-layered cybersecurity architecture designed to safeguard the personal information of registered citizens and legal residents in accordance with global best practices.
Expressing concern over the spread of unverified video content capable of inducing public panic, NIMC urged Nigerians to disregard the claims and rely exclusively on official government channels for identity management updates. The commission highlighted its recently launched NIN Authentication (NINAuth) suite—a digital platform providing secure web, API, and mobile verification services. According to the agency, NINAuth requires explicit user consent before sharing data for Know Your Customer (KYC) verification, enabling citizens to process SIM cards, passports, tax filings, and financial transactions without exposing raw NIN records.
NIMC reaffirmed that its operations strictly comply with data protection standards enshrined in the NIMC Act 2026 and the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023. The agency advised members of the public seeking identity clarifications to contact official helpdesks or its verified online platforms.
