The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: BVN

  • NITDA Cautions Nigerians Against Sharing NIN, BVN With AI Tools

    The National Information Technology Development Agency has warned Nigerians against sharing sensitive personal information, including identification numbers, bank details, photographs and medical results, on artificial intelligence platforms.

    NITDA issued the warning in an advisory titled “Advisory on the Safe Use of AI Platforms”, published on its website on Monday.

    The agency said members of the public were increasingly using AI chatbots and assistants such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot and Meta AI for schoolwork, business, job applications, health questions and personal matters.

    According to the advisory, many users share personal information without realising that information entered or uploaded on AI platforms may be stored outside their control.

    NITDA said, “Information entered into an AI platform, may be retained, logged, used to train the provider’s AI models.”

    It warned that personal details shared with AI platforms could be exposed in a data breach and used for identity theft, impersonation or financial fraud.

    The agency also cautioned that AI tools could produce answers that appeared confident but were inaccurate or outdated.

    It said acting on such information in health, legal, financial or academic matters could cause serious harm.

    Anonymise information

    NITDA advised members of the public to remove, anonymise or pseudonymise personally identifiable information and sensitive information before using AI tools.

    The agency also advised users to verify the privacy and data-handling terms of AI platforms before using them.

    It further urged users not to upload internal documents unless specifically authorised.

    NITDA said organisations should implement AI governance or AI transformation policies defining approved tools, permitted use cases, data-handling rules and accountability for AI use.

    It also advised organisations and their employees to follow existing AI, information security and data protection policies.

    NITDA urges users to verify AI answers

    In a related message shared on its X handle, NITDA urged users of AI platforms to be careful about the information they provide.

    The agency said: “You use ChatGPT, Gemini, Meta AI for work & school? Be careful what you share.”

    It added: “Many share NIN, BVN, bank info, photos & medical results not knowing it may be stored outside your control.”

    NITDA advised users: “Don’t share sensitive data with AI; anonymize your prompts; and always verify AI answers.”

    The agency ended the advisory with the message: “Think Before You Prompt.” Punch

  • NIMC Denies NIN Database Breach, Urges Nigerians To Ignore Viral Video

    NIMC Denies NIN Database Breach, Urges Nigerians To Ignore Viral Video

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The National Identity Management Commission has denied claims that Nigeria’s National Identification Number database was compromised and that citizens’ NIN and Bank Verification Number details were being sold online.

    The commission described the allegations as false and unfounded, urging Nigerians to disregard a viral video making the claims.

    The video circulating on social media alleged that NIN and BVN details could be obtained for as little as N100. It also claimed that some NIMC officials in Lagos were selling individuals’ identification information for N1,000 outside the commission’s office.

    However, in a statement issued on Thursday, NIMC said the claims were recycled from a report published in 2024, which it had previously dismissed.

    The commission said its National Identity Database had not been breached or compromised.

    NIMC explained that it operates multi-layered security systems designed to protect the personal information of registered citizens and legal residents.

    It expressed concern that the circulation of unverified information could mislead members of the public and create unnecessary panic over the safety of their personal data.

    The commission advised Nigerians to rely on information published through its official communication channels for updates concerning the National Identity Management System.

    NIMC also drew attention to its NIN Authentication service, known as NINAuth, which it said was developed to improve the security and privacy of identity verification.

    According to the commission, the service allows NIN holders to give explicit consent before their information is shared for Know Your Customer processes and other verification purposes.

    NIMC said NINAuth can be used for identity verification in areas including SIM registration, passport and immigration services, tax-related processes and financial transactions without unnecessarily exposing a person’s raw NIN or other personal information.

    The commission said the initiative was in line with provisions of the NIMC Act, 2026, and the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, which require personal data to be handled fairly, lawfully and transparently.

    NIMC added that it would continue to work with security agencies and other relevant institutions to strengthen its systems and tackle the spread of misinformation.

    It advised anyone with concerns about their NIN or personal information to contact the commission through its official channels.