The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has released new access control guidelines for Nigerians using its self-service portal to modify details linked to their National Identification Number (NIN).
In a statement issued and signed by the Head of Corporate Communications, Dr. Kayode Adegoke, the Commission said the fresh measures are aimed at safeguarding user data and strengthening the security framework around digital identity services.
According to the statement, access to a self-service account is now restricted to the same browser and device used at the point of account registration. Any attempt to log in from a different browser or device could result in access denial, a measure NIMC says is designed to prevent unauthorized access and ensure user confidentiality.
“Your self-service account is uniquely tied to the browser and device used during registration. Access to your account is therefore limited to that specific browser on that particular device,” the Commission said.
NIMC also warned against clearing the browser cache, noting that such action could reset the device’s unique access parameters, leading to an automatic account lockout. In such instances, users are allowed a maximum of five unlock attempts. If all are exhausted, the account can only be recovered through a formal unlinking process.
“These are some of the measures put in place by the Commission to safeguard and protect the identity of users,” Dr. Adegoke noted.
The Commission urged all applicants seeking to modify their NIN records to adhere strictly to the new security protocol to avoid unnecessary access disruptions.
“Your cooperation is greatly appreciated as the Commission continues to safeguard your data and improve service delivery,” the statement added.
The self-service modification portal is part of NIMC’s ongoing digital reforms aimed at making identity management services more efficient and accessible to the public. Last October, the Commission directed that all data modification requests be handled exclusively online, discontinuing such services at its physical enrolment centres.
“Modification activities will no longer be conducted in our enrollment centers. Instead, we have launched a convenient self-service modification portal, empowering you to update your information securely and efficiently online,” the Commission said at the time.
NIMC maintains that the portal offers users the flexibility to update their information from any location, at any time—provided the secure access conditions are met.
