The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has said it is a major target for data harvesters because it controls the biggest database in Africa and admitted that stakeholders who have access to the NIMC data may be selling data to interested buyers.

Director of Information Technology and Identity Database Engr. Lanre Yusuf said this while refuting the allegation of the breach of data of Nigerian.

Yusuf said only licensed stakeholders in the industry have access to the data of Nigerians under NIMC’s care.

Paradigm Initiative had alleged that it uncovered instances where NINs, Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), and other sensitive personal information were purportedly available for sale online but the commission denied the allegation.

The allegation which sparked worries across Nigeria also alleged unauthorised sale of NIN.

Yusuf said, “Data harvester is a new terminology in the identity ecosystem. We don’t have anything in NIMC like data harvesters. It is true that we have licensed verification partners and on this issue of data breach, there is no data breach from NIMC.”

The NIMC IT director said that the commission remains committed to international best practices.

“To speak on the verification agents, you all know that we have stakeholders agents. NIMC is responsible for the foundational identity, so we understand why all channels are focused on NIMC. We do have API, we do have protocols, and we have agencies that consume our data in order for them to do their functional duties or provide services to Nigerians.

“So, rightfully, licensed people will have access to our data but as you can see, it is like we have a market square whereby some people or organisations have harvested data from different organisations and are in the marketplace trying to sell to interested buyers.

Yusuf, however, denied any knowledge of breach of data of licensed NIMC stakeholders and agencies saying the stakeholders are in a position to reply.