The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has disclosed that investigation is on concerning NIN sales and other data breaches reported by PIN.
Bosun Tijani, who failed to speak on PIN’s statement that his NIN slip was bought for N100, said the federal government and the ministry are committed to data protection.
In a statement on Wednesday, June 26, Tijani said there is collaboration between his ministry and the Ministry of Interior minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
“While I have engaged with my counterpart at the Ministry of Interior regarding this matter, I am confident in their commitment to safeguarding our national identity data,” Tijani said.
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“The NDPC, a year old agency under my supervision as minister, has over the last few months created data compliance mechanisms for all MDAs and has since started a thorough investigation as to the circumstances surrounding this alleged breach,” he added.
Paradigm Initiative (PIN) had raised alarm that National Information Management Commission data may have been breached.
PIN Executive Director, Gbenga Sesan said the website, now taken down, sold NIN data of Nigerians for N100 to willing buyers.
Gbenga said the denial by government did not change the evidence. He said PIN would take legal action against to federal government to ensure the government takes action to protect personal information of the citizens.
“The problem is not Nigerians because we were able to confirm that what they were selling is NIMC’s data and we have proof. We got the NIN slip of the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. We got the NIN slip of the number one data regulator in Nigeria, Dr. Vincent Olatunji. We bought them for N100 each to demonstrate that this is not a joke,” Gbenga said.
