The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has uncovered over 6,000 Nigerian nationals illegally registered in its database with the National Identification Number (NIN).
The revelation comes as President Bola Tinubu has directed an inter-ministerial committee to ensure the National Social Register accurately reflects legitimate beneficiaries of federal government social investment programs.
Illegal NIN Holders Wiped from Database
During a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on February 4, 2025, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo briefed the presidency on NIMC’s ongoing database cleanup efforts. He confirmed that the illegally obtained NINs had been withdrawn from the system.
A Presidency source revealed that the government is keen on validating the identities of social intervention beneficiaries, particularly for programs like conditional cash transfers and student loans.
“The President does not want funds going to unverified individuals. The NIMC is cleaning up the database, registering more Nigerians, and ensuring data accuracy,” the source said.
Fake NIN Agents and Border Fraud
Concerns over foreign nationals illegally obtaining NIN are not new. In October 2022, the Defence Headquarters revealed that security forces had arrested two fake NIMC officials attempting to register non-Nigerians at an IDP camp in Niger Republic.
The suspects were found with NIN registration machines, printers, laminators, and tracking equipment. Reports suggest similar fraudulent activities occur in border communities, exposing Nigeria to security risks.
Tinubu Expands Panel to Oversee NIN Verification
To tighten identity verification, President Tinubu has expanded the Special Presidential Panel (SPP) overseeing the humanitarian ministry. The committee—originally set up after the suspension of former Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Betta Edu—now includes:
✅ National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu
✅ Interior Minister, Tunji-Ojo
✅ Education Minister, Tunji Alausa
✅ Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda
Other key members include the Finance Minister, Budget Minister, Communications Minister, and Youth Minister.
NIMC: NIN Will Prevent Ghost Beneficiaries
NIMC Director-General, Bisoye Coker-Odusote, emphasized that using NIN for financial transactions will enhance transparency in government disbursements.
“Tying NIN to payments ensures beneficiaries are real, not ghost names. This will save the country billions and restore public trust,” she stated.
She also clarified that recent NIN-SIM linkage issues stemmed from a glitch in telecom operators’ systems, not NIMC’s database.
Security Experts Warn of Border Loopholes
Security experts have long warned about Nigeria’s porous borders, enabling undocumented foreigners to move freely.
Retired Brig. Gen. Aliyu Momoh stated:
“Foreigners hold NIN because our borders are weak. In Chad or Cameroon, Nigerians cannot move without papers, yet we allow this here. The government is now making efforts, but there’s more to be done.”
With President Tinubu pushing for comprehensive national identity verification, the coming months will reveal whether strict enforcement can finally curb fraudulent NIN registrations.