The Independent Corrupt Practices (ICPC) and Other Related Offences Commission has warned operators involved in Nigeria’s National Identification Number enrolment process that fraudulent registrations could attract a seven-year prison sentence, as authorities move to protect the integrity of the country’s digital identity database.
The warning was issued in Abuja during a security and compliance briefing organised by the National Identity Management Commission for its front-end enrolment partners, with participation from the Office of the National Security Adviser and other security agencies.
Speaking at the event, ICPC Assistant Director Mark Faison cautioned enrolment agents against abusing the authority granted to them by NIMC, stressing that any attempt to manipulate the registration process amounts to corruption and abuse of office.
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According to him, agents found registering ineligible persons or compromising official procedures would face severe legal consequences.
“If you abuse the privilege you have been given, that amounts to abuse of office because you are operating on behalf of NIMC to register Nigerians,” Faison said.
He added that offenders could face up to seven years imprisonment upon conviction, urging enrolment partners to act in the national interest and safeguard the country’s identity management system.
The anti-corruption agency expressed particular concern over allegations that some enrolment centres have facilitated the registration of foreigners as Nigerian citizens.
Faison disclosed that security agencies had encountered cases where individuals who obtained Nigerian identity credentials through enrolment centres were later apprehended and found not to be Nigerians.
He said such practices pose significant threats to national security, immigration control, financial regulation and public trust in government databases.
The warning comes amid growing efforts by NIMC to strengthen the credibility of Nigeria’s digital identity infrastructure, which has become central to banking services, telecommunications, government interventions, healthcare, education and other public services.
NIMC Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said the expanding role of digital identity systems has increased the need for stricter security controls and stronger compliance measures.
“The need for stronger security controls, regulatory compliance and system integrity has never been greater,” she said.
Coker-Odusote warned that identity systems worldwide are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals through phishing schemes, unauthorised access attempts and other forms of digital attacks.
She announced that only software approved and certified by NIMC would be permitted within the commission’s ecosystem, warning that unauthorised integrations or technology platforms could compromise millions of identity records.
The NIMC boss also disclosed plans to intensify audits of enrolment partners and enforce stricter compliance with cybersecurity and data protection standards.
“We will come and make sure that there is no data leakage on your end and that everything is compliant with our requirements,” she said.
Also speaking, the Head of IT and Identity Data Department at NIMC, Suleiman Falade, described enrolment centres as the foundation of the national identity system.
“You are therefore not just operators. You are custodians of national identity integrity,” Falade told participants.
He warned that duplicate enrolments, inaccurate records and identity fraud could undermine national security efforts and weaken public confidence in the NIN system.
A representative of the Office of the National Security Adviser, Kayode Oni, urged operators to strictly adhere to established procedures, noting that the integrity of Nigeria’s identity management architecture depends heavily on compliance at the enrolment level.
The latest warning follows previous concerns raised by NIMC over identity theft, unauthorised disclosure of NIN details and fraudulent enrolment practices, as authorities intensify efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital identity ecosystem.
