Nigerians Selling Personal Data for ₦1,500 Spark National Security Concerns

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has raised alarm over the growing trend of Nigerians selling their personal information, including National Identification Numbers (NIN), for as little as ₦1,500 — a practice now seen as a threat to national security.

The warning follows a disclosure by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which revealed that many young Nigerians are actively involved in harvesting personal data from unsuspecting individuals in exchange for small payments ranging between ₦1,500 and ₦2,000. This data is then resold to Fintech firms for up to ₦5,000.

Reacting on Sunday, NIMC spokesperson Kayode Adegoke said the commission will not take responsibility for any misuse of personal data voluntarily shared for monetary gain. He reminded Nigerians to avoid giving out their NIN to unauthorised persons or organisations, stressing that any NIN used for service access must be verified.

To help Nigerians protect their identity, NIMC encouraged the public to use its official mobile application, NINAuth, available on iOS and Google Play. The app allows users to manage and secure their NIN and personal information.

Meanwhile, the EFCC has also warned of a surge in cyber fraud schemes, including fake airline ticket promos and phishing apps. The agency said criminals use deceptive offers, such as 50% discounts, to trick victims into downloading malware-infected apps. Once downloaded, the apps give fraudsters access to victims’ bank information.

In one case, victims were asked to pay ₦500 for a promo disguised as a charity payment. The payment enabled scammers to extract sensitive details and transfer funds from victims’ accounts to microfinance bank accounts.

The EFCC identified the masterminds behind these schemes as “Account Suppliers” or “KYC Group.” According to the agency, over 12,000 individuals are involved nationwide, collecting NIN slips, BVNs, passport photos, and other ID materials to create fake accounts used in scams.

The commission urged Nigerians not to participate in such activities, warning that becoming an “Account Donor” is not only illegal but a direct threat to the country’s security.

“The EFCC is committed to protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system,” it said.