By DAYO ADESULU
President Tinubu Orders Crackdown on Fake National Identification Numbers
Abuja, Nigeria – February 7, 2025 – The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has detected and removed over 6,000 illegal NIN registrations linked to Nigerien nationals as part of a nationwide database clean-up.
This move follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive to strengthen Nigeria’s identity verification system and ensure transparency in government social programs such as student loans and conditional cash transfers.
FG Uncovers Widespread NIN Fraud
During a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on February 4, 2025, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo reported that NIMC had successfully revoked fraudulent NINs and was working to eliminate fake entries in its database.
The fraudulent registrations, discovered in border communities, raised concerns over identity theft, security threats, and unauthorized access to government benefits.
How Fake NINs Were Issued to Foreigners
Authorities revealed that fake NIMC agents had been charging undocumented foreigners—particularly those from Niger Republic—to obtain fraudulent NINs.
Security forces previously arrested two suspected fake NIMC officials in October 2022, who were caught registering non-Nigerians in an IDP camp in Niger Republic.
Confiscated items included:
✅ NIN registration machines
✅ Printing & laminating devices
✅ Computer tracking systems
✅ Power generators
Why the Government Is Cleaning Up the National Database
The Humanitarian Affairs Ministry and Education Ministry rely on verified NIN data to:
✔️ Accurately distribute social welfare funds
✔️ Prevent fraudulent claims for student loans
✔️ Ensure government aid reaches genuine beneficiaries
A Presidency source stated:
“The President wants accurate data to ensure that only eligible Nigerians receive financial aid—not foreigners or ghost beneficiaries.”
Inter-Ministerial Panel to Oversee Identity Reforms
To strengthen oversight, Tinubu has expanded the Presidential Panel on Social Investment Programs, now including:
🔹 National Security Adviser – Nuhu Ribadu
🔹 Interior Minister – Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo
🔹 Education Minister – Tunji Alausa
🔹 Humanitarian Affairs Minister – Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda
This reinforced panel will collaborate with existing members, such as:
✔️ Finance Minister & Panel Chairman – Wale Edun
✔️ Budget & Economic Planning Minister – Abubakar Bagudu
✔️ Health & Social Welfare Minister – Prof. Ali Pate
✔️ Communications & Digital Economy Minister – Bosun Tijjani
NIMC DG: NIN Verification to Prevent Fraud
NIMC Director-General, Bisoye Coker-Odusote, assured Nigerians that the clean-up process would:
✔️ Eliminate ghost beneficiaries from government welfare programs
✔️ Verify identities before disbursing funds
✔️ Ensure only Nigerians with valid NINs receive student loans
“Using NIN for social programs ensures transparency, prevents fraud, and saves billions in public funds,” she stated.
Security Experts Call for Border Control Reforms
Security analysts warn that Nigeria’s porous borders allow unregulated migration, making identity fraud easier to commit.
Brig. Gen. Aliyu Momoh (Rtd.) remarked:
“Can a Nigerian move freely in Chad or Cameroon without documentation? No! But undocumented foreigners roam freely in parts of Nigeria. Stronger border policies and stricter NIN registrations are needed.”
The Bigger Picture: A More Secure Identity System
With the government tightening identity verification and eliminating fraudulent NIN registrations, Nigeria is taking a major step toward preventing financial fraud, ensuring national security, and streamlining social investment programs.
Hashtags for Awareness & Engagement:
🔹 #NINFraud
🔹 #IdentityVerification
🔹 #NationalSecurity
🔹 #SocialWelfareReforms
🔹 #SecureNigeria
🔹 #FGDatabaseCleanup
