Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy of Nigeria, Bosun Tijani, has announced the commencement of an investigation into the reported data breach affecting Nigerians registered with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, the minister disclosed that both the NIMC and the National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) have initiated a probe into the incident.
The Paradigm Initiative, a pan-African social enterprise, raised concerns on Thursday after discovering that National Identification Numbers (NINs), Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), and other personal data of Nigerians were allegedly being sold on a website for as little as N100.
According to the organization, the website ‘AnyVerify.com.ng’ was identified as involved in the illicit commercialization of Nigerians’ personal and sensitive information.
Despite reassurances from NIMC spokesperson Kayode Adegoke on Sunday that no data had been compromised, Adeboye Adegoke, a Senior Manager at Paradigm Initiative, affirmed on Channels Television’s The Morning Show that the minister’s data had been purchased for N100 from certain websites.
Minister Tijani stated that he has collaborated with his counterpart in the Ministry of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, emphasizing their active involvement in addressing the issue.
“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,” Tijani said.
ON NIN SLIPS BEING PURCHASED FOR N100
First, I have engaged my colleague, the Minister of Interior, who supervises the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and I am aware that his ministry and the agency are on top of the matter.
Second, the @ndpcngr, a year old… pic.twitter.com/EwUPzhidLH
— Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani (@bosuntijani) June 26, 2024