Nigeria is facing a growing fraud issue as individuals, cyber cafés, and unregistered entities have been caught issuing fake National Identification Number (NIN) cards, misleading unsuspecting citizens and charging hefty fees. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) warns that these so-called “NIN cards” are illegal and strictly unauthorized. Only the official NIMC General Multi-Purpose Card (GMPC) is recognized as valid identity documentation under NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007.
In March 2025, the government launched a crackdown to mop up perpetrators and urged law enforcement agencies to arrest offenders. NIMC emphasized that the NIN slip remains the only valid identification method until proof is issued and verified. The NIMC also noted that over 117 million Nigerians had enrolled in the national ID database as of February 2025, highlighting both the scale of the system and the opportunity for abuse.
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