The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has denied claims of a security breach involving Nigerians’ National Identity Number (NIN) and other personal information.

This is contained in a statement by the Head, Corporate Communications, NIMC, Kayode Adegoke, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Abuja on Wednesday.

Adegoke was reacting to claims contained in a video circulating on social media, alleging that Nigerians’ personal data was exposed and offered for sale.

He described the claims as misleading and assured Nigerians that their data remained safe.

According to him, the NIMC wishes to assure Nigerians that their data is safe and secure and there is no need for panic.

He said the commission had put measures in place to protect the NIN of Nigerians and other personal information contained in the National Identity Database.

”Our systems are protected and the commission remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of citizens’ identity information,” he emphasised.

Adegoke urged Nigerians to disregard unverified information capable of creating fear over the safety of their identity information.

”NIMC takes the protection of citizens’ personal data seriously and will continue to strengthen measures against unauthorised access,” he assured.

The NIMC spokesman also advised Nigerians to use approved channels for NIN verification and other identity-related services.

He quoted the Director-General of the commission, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, as ordering a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

Coker-Odusote said that the investigation would determine whether any of its tokenisation verification agents breached their licensing agreements directly or through sub-licensees.

”NIMC will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the identity information entrusted to the commission is properly protected,” she assured.

She reaffirmed the commitment of the commission to data protection and privacy.(NAN)

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has opened discussions with Indonesia on petroleum investments, with Indonesian national oil company Pertamina expressing interest in Nigeria’s 2026 Licensing Round.

The development followed a meeting between the NUPRC Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Indonesia’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arif Havas Oegroseno, and Toriq Abdat, Vice President, Upstream Business Development, Pertamina.

Head, Corporate Communications and Media, NUPRC, Eniola Akinkuotu, made this known in a statement on Sunday.

Nigeria and Indonesia shared similar priorities, including energy security, resource utilisation and investments into the sector as both countries seek to increase oil production, with Nigeria targeting three million barrels per day (bpd) by 2030.

Nigeria currently produces about 1.6 million to 1.7 million bpd, while Indonesia produces about 600,000 bpd and is also seeking to increase output.

Abdat said Pertamina had been mandated to expand its operations internationally and was exploring opportunities in countries including Malaysia, Iraq and Nigeria.

“In Indonesia, we are producing only around 600,000 barrels. We are working on exploration towards deepwater but we found more gas than oil.

“That is why we go outside Indonesia, Malaysia, then the Middle East, Iraq and Nigeria,” he said.

Abdat said Pertamina was seeking producing assets, projects nearing production or opportunities ahead of Final Investment Decision (FID).

He said the company was open to both competitive bidding and bilateral arrangements with governments.

“We would like to be in projects with governments, producing assets, near production or before FID.

“Now we are looking at how we can help you reach the three million, and also help us provide more energy for our own consumption,” Abdat said.

He expressed interest in opportunities beyond crude oil and natural gas, particularly in the fertiliser sector, adding that Pertamina was developing a fertiliser plant to reduce Indonesia’s dependence on supplies from the Middle East amid disruptions caused by global conflicts.

He linked food security to the oil and gas sector, noting the importance of phosphate and other elements used in fertiliser production.

Responding, Eyesan said Nigeria’s production target was ambitious, adding that the 2026 Licensing Round was one of the strategies being deployed to achieve it.

“We have very aggressive targets, three million barrels per day by 2030, and today we are at 1.6, 1.7.

“We are committed to the objective and the licensing round is one of the strategies we are utilising,” she said.

Eyesan said licensing rounds had become a recurring exercise in Nigeria rather than an occasional process, following their institutionalisation under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

She said the most recent commercial bid conference, held in July, featured 50 assets, with 37 awarded.

The NUPRC boss said Nigeria had also reviewed its fiscal terms in response to competition for the same pool of global investment capital.

She said the country had reduced entry barriers, including signature bonuses, to encourage investment in the upstream sector.

Nigeria, in turn, is diversifying its phosphate sources, including through a long-term transatlantic pipeline project with Morocco aimed at serving West Africa.

The meeting ended with both sides agreeing to sustain commercial and diplomatic engagements on potential areas of cooperation.(NAN)

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has inaugurated a Planning Committee to coordinate preparations for the forthcoming Oil and Gas Investment forum scheduled to take place in China later this year.

The Chairman of the Commission Dr.

In his remarks, Dr. Shehu underscored the importance of strategic planning, effective coordination and strong institutional collaboration in ensuring the successful implementation of the program.

He charged the Planning Committee to develop a comprehensive framework for the event, identify priority investment opportunities, coordinate stakeholder participation, and facilitate strategic engagements with prospective investors and partners in China.

According to him, the Investment forum would feature business-to-business engagements, investment matchmaking, technical presentations and policy dialogue aimed at promoting sustainable partnerships and strengthening cooperation between Nigeria and China in the oil and gas sector.

The Chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to collaborating with relevant institutions and stakeholders within its constitutional mandate, to support initiatives that strengthen investment, improve revenue generation and promote sustainable economic development.

According to a statement by Maryam Umar Yusuf, Head, Information and Public Relations Unit the inauguration of the Planning Committee marks an important step towards the9 coordinated preparation for the China oil and gas Investment forum aimed at promoting Nigeria’s investment opportunities in the international oil and gas market.

The Committee comprises representatives of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, Nigeria-China Business Council, the Director of the Gas and Investment Department, RMAFC, and staff members of the Department.

Also in attendance were the Federal Commissioner representing Kogi State, Hon. Abdulaziz Idris King and other members of the Investment Monitoring Committee.