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The Federal Government has launched an investigation into the alleged unauthorised sale of National Identification Number (NIN), following revelations that the personal data of Nigerians were available for purchase online at a fee.

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12 months ago

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The revelation has sparked widespread concern regarding the protection of individual privacy rights and potential economic repercussions.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, while addressing the issue confirmed he had begun discussions with the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on the matter.

The Ministry of Interior currently oversees the National Identity Management Commission, the body responsible for managing Nigeria’s identity database.

“While I have engaged with my counterpart at the Ministry of Interior regarding this matter, I am confident in their commitment to safeguarding our national identity data,” Dr. Tijani affirmed in a statement released on Wednesday.

He expressed confidence in the ongoing efforts of both the Ministry of Interior and NIMC to address the issue promptly.

Last week, Paradigm Initiative raised the alarm after uncovering instances where NINs, Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), and other sensitive personal information were purportedly available for sale online, citing direct extraction from government databases.

The Executive Director of the organisation, Gbenga Sesan, said that the data being sold on the websites were sourced directly from the government’s databases.

“The problem is not Nigerians because we were able to confirm that what they were selling is NIMC’s data and we have proof. We got the NIN slip of the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. We got the NIN slip of the number one data regulator in Nigeria, Dr. Vincent Olatunji. We bought them for N100 each to demonstrate that this is not a joke,” he said.

Although declining to confirm specific claims made by Paradigm Initiative, regarding the illicit sale of Nigerians’ personal data, Tijani confirmed that the Nigeria Data Protection Commission had commenced an inquiry into the alleged breach.

“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, “ the minister said.

Highlighting the importance of a robust Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and streamlined data exchange protocols across government agencies, Tijani underscored his administration’s dedication to enhancing Nigeria’s cybersecurity resilience.

“Having established that, I do believe that it is important to share the proactive steps I have taken upon appointment to help strengthen technology application in government, despite the historically siloed approach to procurement and development,” the minister said.

He emphasised that shortly after assuming office, he published a comprehensive strategy outlining his vision for integrating advanced technology into public sector operations to drive economic growth.

Meanwhile, NIMC had issued a statement on Saturday refuting allegations of any security breaches within its database, asserting its implementation of stringent cybersecurity measures to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s national identity database.

The commission had also warned Nigerians to desist from sharing their data with fraudulent websites. The claims by NIMC that data were sourced from other sites other than its platform contradict the findings of Paradigm Initiative.

In March there were media reports that a website known as expressverify was monetising the recovery of NINs and personal information from the Nigerian identification database.

The website reportedly had unrestricted access to NINs and personal details of Nigerians registered in the nation’s identity database managed by NIMC.

This incident prompted the NDPC to heighten scrutiny of NIMC licensees after the website breached data protection protocols.

Experts, who spoke to The PUNCH earlier said though there were no cases of data breaches in the NIN database, illegal entries from third-party sources to endpoints have proliferated the system.

The PUNCH gathered that there might be regulated actors reselling or providing access to NIN data through APIs (application user interfaces) via a reselling service, which is not being properly monitored.

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Apo mechanic village traders to shut shops for President Tinubu’s visit, project commissioning

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8 hours ago

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June 12, 2025

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Traders, mechanics, and shop owners in Abuja’s Apo Mechanic Village said they will temporarily close their businesses on Friday, June 13, to welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

This is as he commissions a major road project in the area. This is contained in a statement signed by Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant, Public Communications and Social Media on Thursday.

According to him, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has  announced that the newly constructed Left-Hand Service Carriageway of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) Stage II — from Ring Road I (RRI) Junction to Wasa Junction — will be officially commissioned by President Tinubu at 2:30pm.

As part of the arrangements, the Apo-Wasa road will be closed to vehicular movement from 11:00am to 4:00pm to ensure a smooth ceremony and adequate security, the statement added.

He said motorists are advised to use alternative routes during this period.

He said, “Also, traders, mechanics and other shop owners in the Apo Mechanic Village have offered to close their shops tomorrow, to enable them give President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a rousing welcome, and participate in the commissioning of the road project.”

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Preventing misuse of the Cybercrimes Act: Protecting free speech, unlocking economic growth

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22 hours ago

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June 12, 2025

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On Democracy Day, the heads of missions of the United States, United Kingdom, Finland, Norway, and Canada would like to recognise and congratulate the Nigerian people’s commitment to 26 years of democratic governance. Healthy democracies are formed of many important ingredients and when marking 25 years of democracy in Nigeria in 2024, President Tinubu underlined that in Nigeria “there must be diverse perspectives and viewpoints.” Free expression has long been a core value of Nigeria’s democracy.

Nigeria’s constitution enshrines the right to freedom of expression, aiming to protect its citizens’ rights and foster a society where people can debate and discuss ideas free from government control.

This right, a principle of trusting ordinary citizens to have discussion in the virtual public square, remains vital today.

In April, Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) raised concerns about the 2015 Cybercrimes Act, the amendments made to it in 2024, and the law’s impact on free expression. The Act has laudable aims: to combat online fraud and cyberattacks. There is growing evidence, however, that the Act is being misused by some to silence criticism and dissent. The NHRC’s advisory opinion on freedom of expression warned that it “has potentials for abuse, particularly with respect to arrests and prosecutions of activists, journalists, bloggers, and ordinary social media users.” In addition, in 2022 the ECOWAS Court of Justice ruled that the Act is not in conformity with the country’s obligations related to freedom of expression under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Misuse of the Cybercrimes Act undermines democratic advancement and civic participation. It also jeopardizes the confidence of investors and risks deterring the innovation needed for economic growth.

Consider the case of Dele Farotimi, charged with 12 counts of cybercrime after he reported alleged corruption in the judiciary in a book and on a podcast. Farotimi was allegedly detained in Lagos, transported across state lines to Ekiti, and brought to court in handcuffs. Though the charges were eventually withdrawn, his ordeal highlights a troubling issue – the Cybercrimes Act, originally intended to combat online fraud and cyberterrorism, can be misused as a tool to stifle free expression and undermine democratic engagement. Farotimi is not alone. Journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens have faced similar charges for sharing opinions or reporting on alleged corruption. This distortion of the law’s original intent can lead to citizens becoming hesitant to speak out, weakening democratic accountability and potentially fuelling distrust in government.

The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) estimates the country loses $500 million per year to cybercrime. This problem requires a response. However, the Cybercrimes Act’s broad language, especially its vague definitions of “false information,” “cyberstalking,” “harassment,” and “insult” leave room for confusion and potential abuse. The law’s broad scope allows it to be misused against Nigerian citizens seeking to express dissent, form opinions, or criticize powerful people. NHRC has called on law enforcement to “exercise caution” in how they interpret the Act’s frequently used Section 24 to make sure that charges reflect an actual threat to public order. We therefore welcome the commitment from Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, to collaborate with the National Assembly and relevant stakeholders in reviewing the Cybercrimes Act so that it protects the values enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution.

The implications extend beyond free expression. Nigeria’s economic future depends on its ability to innovate and attract investment in the digital age. However, the Cybercrimes Act’s misapplication, even in a small number of cases, risks detracting the innovators and entrepreneurs the government wants to invest in Nigeria. The Cybercrimes Act also contributes to uncertainty abroad about Nigeria’s legal landscape. Its vague provisions make it difficult for businesses and investors to assess legal risks, hindering investment in industries that rely on digital content. Reform is needed to protect both citizens’ rights and Nigeria’s future.

The undersigned Heads of Mission in Nigeria encourage Nigerian lawmakers to consider reform of the Cybercrimes Act to narrow the definitions of key terms such as “false information,” cyberstalking,” insult,” hatred,” and “harassment,” and ensure those definitions cannot be used erroneously to silence critics and censor expression. As friends of Nigeria who share the country’s strong commitment to democratic values, we want Nigeria to realise its potential as a democratic digital powerhouse. We would therefore welcome the Nigerian government amending the Act to strike a balance between protecting citizens while preserving human rights, including free expression. This will be a difficult balance to strike but is vital for delivering what Nigeria wants: a stable and open democracy, and economic growth underpinned by investment.

Nigeria is not alone in facing this problem. Democracies across the world are grappling with the ever-evolving challenges and opportunities that the digital world presents. Through the Council of Europe’s Global Action on Cybercrime project, Nigerian lawmakers are receiving funding and technical assistance to help the current review of the Act lead to legislation that meets international standards and best practices. However, the deadline for the Act’s review has consistently been delayed, and we urge Nigerian lawmakers to make this review a priority, and ensure it is open to public consultation and debate.

Free expression is a precious commodity that relies on all of us to respect it. It is a fundamental tenant of Nigeria’s constitution. Nigerians, and any citizens of countries around the world, should be able to hold and express their views, even if those opinions are unpopular.

Jointly written by Richard M. Mills, Jr., U.S. Embassy; Richard Montgomery; British High Commission; Sanna Selin, Embassy of Finland, Svein Baera; Embassy of Norway
Pasquale Salvaggio, and Canadian High Commission.

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NAHCON sets date for return of Nigerian pilgrims

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6 days ago

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June 7, 2025

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The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has set June 9 for the commencement of the return journey of Nigerian pilgrims who completed this year’s Hajj rites in Saudi Arabia.

Chairman, NAHCON, Professor Abdullahi Saleh, made this known in a statement issued in Minna, where he congratulated Muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.

He said the return of Nigerian pilgrims will begin on the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah which corresponds with June 9.

The return journeys will commence with pilgrims from Imo State via Air Peace while pilgrims from Bauchi State will fly back via Max Air

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