Minister Investigates NIN Data Breach, Proposes N100 Solution

NIN data breach investigation: The controversy surrounding the alleged sale of National Identification Number (NIN) slips for N100 on a website is concerning.

This has led Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, to announce that the federal government is conducting a thorough investigation concerning the issue. 

NIN Data Breach Investigation

In an explicit statement on X, he highlighted that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) are leading the investigation. 

Tijani said, “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.”

The minister’s response comes amid a report by Paradigm Initiative that the national identification numbers (NINs), bank verification numbers (BVNs), and other personal data of Nigerians were being sold for as low as N100 on unauthorized websites. 

A separate interview involving Gbenga Sesan, the executive director of Paradigm Initiative, who said his organization bought Tijani’s NIN slip for just N100, further drove the claim.

NIN Data Breach Investigation To Lead To Enhancing Nigerian CyberSecurity

The Minister did not directly confirm or deny the allegations made by Paradigm Initiative, he however mentioned that the NDPC, under his Ministry, has commenced a thorough investigation to understand the circumstances of the alleged breach.

He said, “The @ndpcngr, a year-old agency under my supervision as a minister, has over the last few months created data compliance mechanisms for all MDAs.

“The agency has since started a thorough investigation as to the circumstances surrounding this alleged breach.”

Also Read: Massive Data Breach Exposes Personal Info of Millions of Nigerians

Tijani also underscored the importance of establishing a structured Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and enhancing Data Exchange across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to bolster Nigeria’s cybersecurity oversight.

Speaking further, Tijani highlighted measures his ministry has put in place to reinforce technology application in government.

Conclusion

The measures, the minister said, have been part of the proactive steps he took upon appointment to help strengthen technology application in government, despite the historically system approach to procurement and development.

Tijani also explained, “For context, in October 2023, a few weeks after my appointment, I released a white-paper elucidating my position on technology application within the public service and our proposed approach to leveraging existing investment in technology to accelerate economic prosperity through improved government processes.”