NIMC Cleared Of Data Breach Allegations By ONSA, NPF-NCC, Says Coker-Odusote
Director-General of the National Identity Card Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, has assured the public of the safety of the data collated by the agency, saying a breach of the Commission’s database never occurred.
She disclosed the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigerian Police Force Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) had given NIMC a clean bill of health after investigating rumours of a database breach and fake news on social media that the National Identity Number (NIN) of citizens and residents of the country is being sold.
Coker-Odusote gave assurance on the safety of NIN holders as part of her welcome address at the 2-day Roundtable Discussion with the members of the Guild of Online Publishers (GOCOP) and other senior journalists.
She said: “I want to categorically say that the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigerian Police Force Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) have conducted their investigations and they confirmed that the breach didn’t come from NIMC.
“Let me use this medium to, once again, reassure Nigerians, at home, and in the diaspora that robust measures are in place to safeguard the nation’s database from cyber threats. NIMC’s infrastructure adheres to the stringent ISO 27001:2013 Information Security Management System Standard, ensuring that the highest standards of data protection are maintained”.
“Under my leadership, NIMC has an unwavering commitment to upholding ethical standards in data protection. Cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies such as encryption, multi-factor authentication, and real-time monitoring systems are in place to protect the database. We are also very deliberate about ensuring that all partners ensuring that all partners and vendors of the commission comply with strict security standards”, she added.
Earlier, the Coordinator, Project Implementation Unit, Nigeria Digital ID4D Project, Tito Ejevani, explained that NIMC is focused on strengthening the country’s identity infrastructure, to grow Nigeria’s digital economy, enhance data protection, and close the inclusion gaps which hinder access to identification and related key services.
Ejavani called for improved collaboration between NIMC and the media for the public to get the correct information regularly and timely.
She said: “The Nigeria Digital ID4D Project is a (Nigerian) collaborative effort, jointly funded by the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, and the French Development Agency, with a singular objective: to increase the number of persons with a National Identity Number (NIN) through a robust and inclusive foundational identity system that enables access to services.
“Our mission is rooted in the principle of inclusion. Historically, identity systems have often inadvertently marginalized certain groups due to logistical challenges and social stigmas, particularly affecting women and persons with disabilities.
“We are committed to reversing this trend by ensuring that our ID system is inclusive, equitable, and accessible to all Nigerians, regardless of their socio-economic status, gender, or physical abilities”.
