NIMC Refutes Claims of Blocking Police Access to NIN Verification Platform

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has dismissed reports suggesting that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) or the Police Service Commission (PSC) is unable to access its National Identification Number (NIN) verification platforms, calling the claims “misleading and inaccurate.”

In a statement issued by Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, the Commission assured Nigerians that all its identity verification platforms remain fully operational and accessible to authorized government agencies, including security institutions.

“The NIMC granted verification access to all Nigerian Police formations for the verification of the National Identification Number (NIN),” the statement said, adding that “the NPF, PSC, and other security agencies have been enjoying uninterrupted verification services for over five years.”

Long-Standing Collaboration with Police

The Commission emphasized its longstanding partnership with the Police and the PSC, noting that its verification platform has played a key role in recruitment exercises and law enforcement operations.

NIMC clarified that it has never received complaints from either the NPF or the PSC regarding system inaccessibility. It also stated that the Nigeria Police ICT Department continues to manage the technical integration enabling real-time NIN verification across all police formations.

The agency explained that recent updates to its verification framework—carried out in conjunction with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA)—were intended to improve standardization and enhance service delivery across board.

“Any service interruption experienced by the PSC may be due to internal matters,” NIMC noted.

Commitment to National Security

Reiterating its commitment to national security and seamless identity verification, NIMC said it will continue supporting partner agencies in the areas of recruitment, cybercrime control, and national intelligence mapping.

The Commission urged all authorized agencies to adhere strictly to agreed terms and conditions to ensure continued, uninterrupted access.

Background

The controversy began earlier this week when the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, retired DIG Hashimu Argungu, expressed concerns over the Commission’s inability to access the NIMC database during a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).

According to a PSC statement, Argungu appealed to the National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, to help facilitate database access, stressing that it is crucial for verifying the identities of applicants in the 2025 police recruitment exercise.