The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has introduced stricter security controls on its self-service modification portal, warning that users could be locked out of their accounts if the new rules are not followed.
In a statement on Thursday, the Commission’s Head of Corporate Communications, Dr. Kayode Adegoke, said that each self-service account will now be permanently linked to the exact browser and device used during registration. This means users can only log in from that original browser on that specific device.
The move is part of NIMC’s broader measures to strengthen data protection and safeguard the integrity of the National Identification Number (NIN) system. The Commission cautioned that switching to another browser or device could result in immediate access issues. Even clearing a browser’s cache, it warned, could reset the browser’s identity and trigger a lockout. In such cases, the account holder would need to undergo an official unlinking process to restore access.
Further limiting account recovery options, NIMC announced that each locked account will be allowed a maximum of five unlock attempt requests. Once this limit is reached, no additional unlock requests will be processed.
These changes follow other reforms in the NIN service framework, including a recent increase in the correction fee for a date of birth change in the NIN database—from ₦16,340 to ₦28,574, representing a 75 percent hike.
NIMC said the measures are aimed at protecting sensitive personal data and ensuring the reliability of its digital identity services.
