Tinubu Signs NIMC Act 2026, Ushers in New Era of Digital Identity Reform

Published: June 30, 2026

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey and introducing sweeping reforms to strengthen the country’s identity management system.

The newly signed legislation repeals the 2007 NIMC Act and establishes a more robust legal framework aimed at enhancing digital identity security, improving public service delivery, and promoting trust in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.

According to the National Identity Management Commission, one of the most significant provisions of the Act is the designation of NIMC as Nigeria’s Root Certification Authority. This gives the commission statutory authority over the National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), making it the central body responsible for secure digital verification, electronic authentication, encryption services, and digital certificates.

The signing ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and was attended by top government officials, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi, and Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Speaking after the signing, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo described the new law as a “landmark achievement” that would strengthen national security and improve coordination across Nigeria’s fragmented identity databases.

He noted that the integration of identity systems had already yielded results, citing the interception of suspected terrorist operatives at Katsina Airport through linked identity and immigration databases.

NIMC Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote described the legislation as a turning point in Nigeria’s identity ecosystem, emphasizing that the law would deepen trust in the National Identification Number (NIN) and expand access to both government and private-sector services.

Analysts say the new law could significantly accelerate Nigeria’s ambitions for a fully digitized economy, improve financial inclusion, and strengthen cybersecurity protections for millions of Nigerians.

The NIMC Act 2026 is expected to serve as a foundation for Nigeria’s broader Smart Nation agenda, aligning with the federal government’s push for innovation-driven governance and digital economic growth.

Observers believe the law could transform how Nigerians access services ranging from banking and healthcare to education and social welfare.

As implementation begins, stakeholders across both public and private sectors will be watching closely to see how effectively the reforms are rolled out nationwide.

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