{
  "id": 9359422,
  "title": "NIMC denies NIN data breach claims, orders investigation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/nimc-denies-nin-data-breach-claims-orders-investigation",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-23T15:14:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Nairametrics",
    "slug": "nairametrics",
    "url": "https://nairametrics.com/2026/09/23/nimc-denies-nin-data-breach-claims-orders-investigation/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has dismissed allegations that Nigerians' National Identification Numbers (NINs) and personal data were compromised, following a viral video on social media. NIMC's Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, stated in Abuja on Wednesday that the commission's systems remain secure and urged people to disregard unverified information that could instill fear. NIMC's Director-General, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, has initiated a thorough investigation into the claims to ascertain whether any tokenisation verification agents violated their licensing agreements. This investigation will also determine if the breaches occurred directly or through sub-licensees. Coker-Odusote emphasized NIMC's commitment to safeguarding identity information and data privacy. The circulating claims on social media were described as misleading, and NIMC assured Nigerians that there was no need for panic. The commission recommended that citizens only utilize approved channels for NIN verification and other identity-related services. NIMC has previously faced security concerns regarding Nigerians' identity data, leading to restrictions on licensed agents' access to the NIN database while the investigation proceeds. The issue is especially pertinent as NIMC's role in Nigeria's digital identity infrastructure has expanded, with the signing of the NIMC Act 2026 by President Bola Tinubu in June 2026. This new legislation expands the commission's powers over Nigeria's digital identity infrastructure while retaining the NIN as the foundational identity credential and providing for enhanced protections for personal data.",
  "summary": "The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has denied claims that Nigerians’ National Identification Numbers (NINs) and other personal information were exposed, following a video circulating on social media alleging that citizens’ data had been exposed and offered for sale. The post NIMC denies NIN data breach claims, orders investigation appeared first on Nairametrics .",
  "key_points": [
    "NIMC denies data breach claims, urges citizens to ignore unverified information",
    "Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote initiates investigation into allegations",
    "Investigation focuses on tokenization verification agents and sub-licensees"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}