By Bisi Bamishe
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) proudly announces the signing into law of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act, 2026 by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. This landmark legislation marks a transformative milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards a secure, inclusive and digitally empowered nation.
The new Act repeals and replaces the NIMC Act of 2007. It establishes a modern, forward-looking legal framework that aligns Nigeria’s identity ecosystem with global best practices, emerging technologies and the demands of a rapidly evolving digital economy.
A defining feature of the new Act is the designation of NIMC as the Root Certification Authority for Nigeria’s National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), thereby establishing the Commission as the nation’s trusted authority responsible for underpinning secure digital identity, authentication and electronic trust services across government and private-sector digital platforms. The Act further empowers NIMC to ensure secure, interoperable and seamless data exchange among all public and private entities, laying the legal and institutional foundation for a trusted digital economy.
This landmark reform directly advances President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by accelerating digital transformation, strengthening national security, expanding financial and social inclusion, improving public service delivery and supporting the development of a secure Digital Public Infrastructure capable of driving innovation, economic growth and Nigeria’s aspiration of becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy.
Why the New Law Was Necessary
Nearly two decades after the 2007 Act laid the foundation for Nigeria’s National Identity System, the global digital landscape has changed dramatically. The rapid expansion of digital services, e-governance, electronic commerce, data protection requirements and evolving cybersecurity threats created an urgent need for a more robust and contemporary legal framework.
The NIMC Act 2026 responds to these realities by modernising Nigeria’s identity management framework, strengthening digital trust, protecting citizens’ personal data, enhancing cybersecurity and positioning the country to fully harness the opportunities presented by the global digital economy.
Key Provisions and Innovations
The Act strengthens NIMC’s role as the statutory authority responsible for the national identity management system in Nigeria. It firmly establishes the National Identification Number (NIN) as the country’s foundational identity credential, reinforces the principle of “One Person, One Identity,” and enables seamless identity verification and authentication across government and private-sector platforms.
Importantly, the Act positions NIMC at the centre of Nigeria’s digital trust architecture by assigning it strategic responsibility for the National Public Key Infrastructure and Digital Public Infrastructure.
Major highlights of the Act include:
Robust Data Protection and Privacy: Introduces stronger safeguards for personal data in alignment with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) and international best practices, ensuring that Nigerians’ personal information is processed, stored and protected in accordance with globally accepted privacy standards.
National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): The Act designates NIMC as the Root Certification Authority for Nigeria’s National Public Key Infrastructure and Digital Public Infrastructure, establishing the Commission as the nation’s trusted authority responsible for secure digital identity, authentication and electronic trust services. It empowers NIMC to establish, manage and maintain the National Public Key Infrastructure and Digital Public Infrastructure, providing trusted authentication, encryption, digital signatures, digital certificates and identity verification frameworks that strengthen confidence in digital transactions and online services across government and private-sector platforms.
Secure Digital Identity and Interoperability: The Act empowers NIMC to ensure secure, interoperable and seamless data exchange among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), private organisations and other authorised entities. This will enable trusted digital interactions, improve service delivery, strengthen cybersecurity and provide the secure digital backbone required for Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure and digital economy.
General Multipurpose Card: Positions the NIMC General Multipurpose Card as a versatile identity credential for nationwide identity verification under the theme: “One Card, Multiple Possibilities.”
Inclusivity for Vulnerable Groups: Introduces an innovative Identifier system for vulnerable persons and mandates special measures to facilitate the enrolment of underserved populations, including persons without permanent residences, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Stronger Anti-Fraud Measures: Prescribes stringent penalties for multiple registrations and strengthens measures to combat identity theft, impersonation and other identity-related offences.
Recognition of Multiple Identity Formats: Formally recognises both physical and digital identity credentials, all securely linked to an individual’s National Identification Number (NIN), thereby supporting secure digital transactions and service delivery.
What Nigerians Can Expect
The implementation of the Act will deliver significant benefits by creating a trusted, secure and interoperable digital identity ecosystem that enables seamless access to services across both the public and private sectors while strengthening electronic trust across Nigeria’s digital economy.
Nigerians can expect:
– Wider, easier and more convenient access to identity services, including for Nigerians in the Diaspora.
– Stronger protection of personal data and privacy.
– Enhanced cybersecurity and greater confidence in digital transactions.
– Faster, safer and more secure identity verification and authentication.
– A trusted National Public Key Infrastructure and Digital Public Infrastructure that support secure digital identity, authentication and electronic trust services.
– Secure, interoperable and seamless data exchange among government institutions, financial institutions and private-sector organisations.
– Greater digital and financial inclusion for vulnerable and underserved populations.
– Improved interoperability across government institutions and private-sector platforms.
– Reduced identity theft, impersonation and identity-related fraud.
– Accelerated digital innovation, improved ease of doing business and more efficient public service delivery.
– A stronger foundation for Nigeria’s digital economy, digital governance and long-term national development.
The Commission assures all Nigerians and legal residents that the implementation of the Act will be guided by the principles of transparency, inclusivity, professionalism, innovation and citizen-centred service delivery. NIMC remains committed to implementing the provisions of the Act in a manner that promotes public trust, safeguards personal data and supports Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
Appreciation
NIMC expresses its profound gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his visionary leadership and decisive action in signing this historic legislation into law.
Through this landmark Act, President Tinubu has strengthened the legal foundation for Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure by designating NIMC as the Root Certification Authority for the National Public Key Infrastructure and Digital Public Infrastructure. This historic reform will strengthen the protection of citizens’ data, enhance cybersecurity, establish trusted digital identity and authentication services, enable secure and interoperable data exchange across government and private-sector platforms, expand access to essential services and support the administration’s vision of building a one-trillion-dollar economy.
The Commission also commends the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Joint Committee on Identity and National Population Commission and the distinguished members of the National Assembly for their invaluable contributions to the successful passage of this landmark legislation.
Special appreciation also goes to the Honourable Minister of the Interior; our development partners, including Identity for Development (ID4D); our stakeholders; the management and staff of NIMC; and all Nigerians whose support and contributions made this historic achievement possible.
The NIMC Act 2026 represents the most significant reform of Nigeria’s identity management legal framework since the establishment of the Commission. It reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to building a secure, trusted, inclusive and interoperable digital identity ecosystem that will serve as a catalyst for national development, economic growth, digital innovation and improved governance.
The Commission will, in due course, issue such regulations, guidelines and other subsidiary instruments as may be necessary to give full effect to the provisions of the Act. In doing so, the Commission will continue to engage constructively with government institutions, the private sector, development partners and other key stakeholders to facilitate a seamless transition to the new legal framework and further strengthen Nigeria’s identity management ecosystem in line with international best practices.
