NCC Urges Accountability in BVN, SIM Registration and Personal Data Management
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called on government agencies, financial institutions and other stakeholders to ensure responsible use of personal information collected through the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) registration systems.
The commission said Nigeria has accumulated substantial amounts of personal data through banking, telecommunications and other public programmes. However, poor coordination between databases has limited the country’s ability to turn that information into practical benefits for citizens.
Mrs Yetunde Adeyemo, Senior Manager of Regulatory Services at the NCC, made the call during an engagement organised by the Finance and Business Online Publishers (FiBOP) Association in Lagos.
Adeyemo stressed that collecting personal information alone would not deliver meaningful results. Instead, relevant institutions must coordinate their systems and take responsibility for using available data to improve public services and national development.
NCC Highlights Gaps in Data Integration
Adeyemo said Nigeria had invested considerable effort in gathering information through different government agencies and private institutions.
These records include BVN information held by financial institutions and SIM registration details maintained by telecommunications operators. Other public databases also contain information collected for identification and service delivery.
However, the NCC official said the challenge lies in making these records work together effectively.
When institutions maintain separate databases without adequate coordination, authorities may struggle to use available information efficiently. Better integration could help agencies verify records, improve service delivery and reduce unnecessary duplication.
Adeyemo urged ministries, government agencies, banks, regulators and media organisations to work together to improve public understanding of integrated data systems.
She also called for greater accountability among institutions responsible for collecting and managing personal information.
The goal, she explained, should be to ensure that existing data produces measurable benefits for Nigerians rather than remaining underused across separate systems.
Better Data Use Could Improve Public Services
Effective coordination between databases could help institutions deliver services more efficiently.
For example, reliable identity records can support customer verification in banking and telecommunications. Consistent information can also help public agencies reduce errors when confirming individuals’ identities.
Better coordination may also reduce repeated requests for information that institutions already hold, provided the relevant agencies have lawful access and appropriate safeguards.
For telecommunications operators, accurate SIM registration records remain important for subscriber identification and compliance with regulatory requirements.
The NCC has previously emphasised the need to verify subscriber information and maintain accurate registration records. Its SIM registration verification exercises aim to improve the quality and reliability of information submitted by network operators.
However, data integration requires more than connecting computer systems. Institutions must establish clear responsibilities, maintain accurate records and ensure that they use personal information only for authorised purposes.
These measures can help reduce errors while strengthening public confidence in digital services.
Accountability Must Accompany Data Sharing
The NCC’s call also raises questions about privacy, security and responsibility when institutions use personal information.
BVN and SIM registration records contain sensitive identifying details. Consequently, any effort to improve data integration must respect applicable privacy laws and protect information against unauthorised access or misuse.
Institutions need clear rules governing who can access records, why they can access them and how they should handle the information.
They must also establish safeguards against data breaches, inaccurate records and unauthorised disclosure.
Accountability should extend across the entire process, from collecting and storing information to sharing and using it. Organisations must also address errors and provide appropriate channels for individuals to resolve problems involving their records.
These safeguards are essential to ensure that better coordination improves public services without compromising citizens’ privacy.
Adeyemo’s remarks focused on responsibility and effective use of existing information. The call does not, by itself, announce a new policy permitting unrestricted access to BVN or SIM registration records.
NCC Seeks Stronger Stakeholder Collaboration
Adeyemo urged government ministries, financial institutions, regulatory bodies and the media to collaborate on improving the use of national data resources.
She said stakeholders should promote a better understanding of how integrated information systems can support governance and improve everyday services.
The media, in particular, can help explain the value of accurate records, responsible data management and cooperation among institutions.
The NCC’s position reflects a broader challenge facing Nigeria’s digital systems: gathering information is only the first step. Institutions must also maintain reliable records, coordinate responsibly and use the information to address practical needs.
For Nigerians, better coordination could help improve the delivery of services that depend on identity verification. However, the benefits will depend on effective implementation, clear accountability and strong privacy protections.
Adeyemo urged stakeholders to take responsibility for turning the country’s existing data resources into tangible results.
Her message was that Nigeria must move beyond collecting information and focus on using it responsibly, efficiently and in ways that improve citizens’ welfare.
