Tinubu Signs New NIMC Act, Strengthens Nigeria's Digital Identity System

Tinubu Signs New NIMC Act, Strengthens Nigeria’s Digital Identity System
Introduces New Digital Identity Framework
New NIMC Act to Boost Cybersecurity, Digital Inclusion

President Bola Tinubu has signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act, 2026, into law, repealing the 2007 legislation and introducing a new legal framework aimed at establishing a secure, interoperable and inclusive digital identity ecosystem in Nigeria.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that the new legislation significantly expands the powers of the National Identity Management Commission, designating it as the Root Certification Authority for Nigeria’s National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), thereby placing the agency at the centre of the country’s digital identity, authentication and electronic trust architecture.

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The Act reinforces the National Identification Number (NIN) as Nigeria’s foundational identity credential under the principle of “One Person, One Identity,” while empowering NIMC to facilitate secure and seamless data exchange among government agencies, financial institutions and private sector organisations.

The reforms are expected to strengthen digital governance, improve public service delivery, enhance cybersecurity and support the Federal Government’s target of building a one-trillion-dollar economy through technology-driven growth.

In a statement issued on Friday, NIMC described the legislation as the most significant overhaul of Nigeria’s identity management framework since the Commission was established nearly two decades ago.

The Commission noted that the rapid growth of digital services, e-governance, e-commerce, data protection requirements and emerging cyber threats necessitated replacing the old law with a more robust and future-oriented legal framework aligned with global best practices.

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Under the new law, NIMC will establish and maintain Nigeria’s National Public Key Infrastructure and Digital Public Infrastructure, providing trusted authentication systems, digital signatures, digital certificates, encryption services and identity verification frameworks to boost confidence in online transactions and digital services.

The legislation also introduces stronger safeguards for personal data and privacy in line with the Nigeria Data Protection Act and international standards, while prescribing stiffer penalties for offences such as multiple registrations, identity theft, impersonation and other identity-related crimes.

In a move aimed at promoting inclusion, the Act creates an innovative identifier system for vulnerable persons and mandates special measures to facilitate the enrolment of underserved populations, including individuals without permanent residences.

It further recognises both physical and digital identity credentials, all securely linked to an individual’s National Identification Number, expanding opportunities for digital transactions and access to services.

According to NIMC, the implementation of the framework will enable faster and more secure identity verification, deepen financial and digital inclusion, improve interoperability across public and private sector platforms, and enhance ease of doing business.

The Commission expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for signing the legislation, describing it as a landmark reform that would strengthen data protection, improve cybersecurity, expand access to essential services and provide a solid foundation for Nigeria’s digital economy and long-term national development.

NIMC also commended the National Assembly, the Ministry of Interior, development partners and other stakeholders whose contributions facilitated the passage of the law.

The Commission said it would subsequently issue regulations and guidelines necessary for the implementation of the Act and engage relevant stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition to the new legal framework.