President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act, 2026 into law, ushering in a new legal framework aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital identity system, improving cybersecurity and accelerating the country’s digital transformation.
The new legislation repeals and replaces the NIMC Act of 2007, providing a modern framework designed to align Nigeria’s identity management system with global best practices, emerging technologies and the demands of a rapidly expanding digital economy.
A major highlight of the Act is the designation of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) as Nigeria’s Root Certification Authority for the National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). The Commission will oversee secure digital identity, authentication, digital signatures and trusted electronic transactions across government and private-sector platforms.
The law also empowers NIMC to facilitate secure, interoperable and seamless data exchange among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), financial institutions and other authorised organisations, laying the foundation for a trusted digital economy.
According to NIMC, the reform supports President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by promoting digital transformation, enhancing national security, expanding financial and social inclusion, improving public service delivery and strengthening Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure.
The Commission said the new law became necessary because the 2007 Act no longer adequately addressed the realities of today’s digital environment, including growing cybersecurity threats, electronic commerce, evolving governance needs and increasing data protection requirements.
Among its key provisions, the Act reinforces the National Identification Number (NIN) as Nigeria’s foundational identity credential under the principle of “One Person, One Identity.” It also introduces stronger safeguards for personal data in line with the Nigeria Data Protection Act and international privacy standards.
The legislation further recognises both physical and digital identity credentials linked to the NIN, strengthens measures against identity theft and multiple registrations, and introduces special provisions 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 nationwide identity credential under the initiative tagged “One Card, Multiple Possibilities.”
NIMC said Nigerians should expect easier access to identity services, including for citizens in the diaspora, stronger protection of personal information, improved cybersecurity, faster identity verification, reduced identity-related fraud, better interoperability among government institutions and private organisations, and enhanced digital and financial inclusion.
The Commission assured Nigerians that implementation of the Act would be guided by transparency, professionalism, innovation, inclusivity and citizen-centred service delivery while ensuring the protection of personal data.
NIMC expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for signing the legislation into law, describing it as the most significant reform of Nigeria’s identity management legal framework since the Commission was established. It also commended the National Assembly, the Ministry of Interior, development partners and other stakeholders for their contributions to the successful passage of the legislation.
The Commission disclosed that regulations, guidelines and other subsidiary instruments would be issued in due course to facilitate the implementation of the Act and ensure a smooth transition to the new legal framework.
The statement was signed by Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), on June 26, 2026.