Tinubu signs NIMC Act for secured digital identity for Nigeria

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act, 2026 into law, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s drive towards a secure, inclusive and digitally enabled identity ecosystem.

The new legislation repeals the NIMC Act of 2007 and introduces a modern legal framework designed to align Nigeria’s identity management system with global best practice, emerging technologies and the demands of a rapidly expanding digital economy.

Head of Corporate Communications, NIMC, Dr Kayode Adegoke, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja.

A key provision of the Act designates the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) as Nigeria’s Root Certification Authority for the National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

According to the statement, this empowers the Commission to serve as the nation’s trusted authority for secure digital identity, authentication and electronic trust services across both public and private sector platforms.

The law also authorises NIMC to facilitate secure, interoperable and seamless data exchange among government institutions, financial organisations and other authorised entities, providing the legal foundation for a trusted digital economy.

According to the Commission, the legislation supports President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by accelerating digital transformation, strengthening national security, expanding financial and social inclusion, improving public service delivery and supporting the administration’s vision of building a one-trillion-dollar economy.

NIMC explained that the review of the 2007 Act became necessary because of significant changes in the global digital landscape, including the rapid growth of digital services, electronic commerce, cybersecurity challenges and increasing demand for stronger data protection.

Among the major innovations introduced by the Act are stronger safeguards for personal data in line with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, formal recognition of both physical and digital identity credentials linked to the National Identification Number (NIN), enhanced measures against identity theft and multiple registrations, and the establishment of a secure National Public Key Infrastructure.

The law also reinforces the National Identification Number (NIN) as Nigeria’s foundational identity credential under the “One Person, One Identity” principle, while introducing special measures to facilitate the enrolment of vulnerable and underserved populations, including persons without permanent residences.

In addition, the Act positions the NIMC General Multipurpose Card as a versatile identity credential for nationwide verification under the theme, “One Card, Multiple Possibilities.”

Adegoke said Nigerians should expect easier access to identity services, stronger protection of personal information, enhanced cybersecurity, faster identity verification, improved interoperability across government and private sector platforms, increased digital and financial inclusion, reduced identity-related fraud, and more efficient public service delivery.

The Commission assured Nigerians that implementation of the new law would be guided by transparency, inclusivity, professionalism and citizen-centred service delivery while safeguarding personal data and promoting public trust.

NIMC expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for signing the landmark legislation, describing it as the most significant reform of Nigeria’s identity management framework since the Commission’s establishment.

The Commission also commended the leadership of the National Assembly, the Honourable Minister of the Interior, development partners, stakeholders and members of staff for their contributions to the successful passage of the Act.

The statement added that regulations, guidelines and other subsidiary instruments would be issued in due course to ensure the smooth implementation of the new legal framework and further strengthen Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem.