President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act, 2026 into law, ushering in a new era for Nigeria’s digital identity system and reinforcing the Federal Government’s commitment to digital transformation, national security and efficient public service delivery.
The President assented to the legislation on Friday, June 26, 2026, during a ceremony at the State House in Abuja attended by senior government officials, National Assembly leaders and top executives of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
The new Act repeals the National Identity Management Commission Act of 2007 and establishes a modern legal framework designed to align Nigeria’s identity management system with global best practices and the country’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
Among those present at the signing ceremony were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Director-General of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote.
Speaking after the signing, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo described the legislation as a landmark reform that will strengthen Nigeria’s identity management architecture while enhancing internal security and improving access to government services.
According to him, the new law positions NIMC at the heart of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem by empowering the commission to manage the country’s National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). He noted that the reforms would promote secure digital transactions and improve trust in government identity systems.
The Act also reinforces NIMC’s responsibility as the statutory agency overseeing Nigeria’s national identity database while strengthening the Federal Government’s “One Person, One Identity” policy through the National Identification Number (NIN).
Government officials said the reforms would enable seamless identity verification across ministries, departments, agencies and private organisations, making it easier for citizens to access both public and private services.
The legislation introduces stronger safeguards for personal data protection, tighter measures against identity fraud, improved interoperability among digital platforms, secure identity authentication services and the rollout of a general-purpose national identity card.
It also seeks to expand access to identity registration for vulnerable and underserved populations, ensuring that more Nigerians are included in the country’s digital identity ecosystem.
The Federal Government believes the implementation of the new law will deepen financial inclusion, improve cybersecurity, support electronic commerce, strengthen national planning and enhance service delivery across key sectors of the economy.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the new legislation as a significant milestone for Nigeria, saying an integrated national identity system would improve national security, economic planning, border management and governance.
He added that recent integration of identity databases had already assisted security agencies in tracking criminal activities, demonstrating the growing importance of digital identity management in safeguarding the country.
The signing of the NIMC Act, 2026, represents another major milestone in the Tinubu administration’s broader digital transformation agenda aimed at building a secure, technology-driven economy and delivering more efficient public services to Nigerians.
