Tinubu Signs NIMC Bill Into Law: “One Person, One Identity” Framework Takes Effect

In a landmark move to modernise Nigeria’s identity management system, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law. The new legislation repeals the outdated 2007 Act and establishes a comprehensive legal framework for digital identity, data protection, and electronic trust services. Already, the integrated database system has been credited with the arrest of seven suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders. The signing ceremony took place at the State House, Abuja, on Friday and was witnessed by top government officials including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, and the Director-General of NIMC, Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote.

The new law introduces several critical innovations designed to strengthen Nigeria’s digital public infrastructure and position the country for a technology-driven future. A defining feature of the Act is the designation of NIMC as the Root Certification Authority for Nigeria’s National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). This empowers the commission to serve as the nation’s trusted authority for secure digital identity, authentication, and electronic trust services across both government and private-sector platforms. Additionally, the legislation introduces stronger safeguards for personal data, aligning with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) and international privacy standards, while providing a legal foundation for secure and interoperable data exchange among Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), financial institutions, and private organisations. The Act also reinforces the National Identification Number (NIN) as Nigeria’s foundational identity credential under the “One Person, One Identity” principle, and recognises both physical and digital identity credentials while positioning the NIMC General Multipurpose Card as a nationwide identity credential under the theme “One Card, Multiple Possibilities.”

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Speaking after the signing ceremony, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, revealed that the integrated identity database has already yielded significant security gains, disclosing that seven known commanders of Boko Haram and ISWAP were arrested at Katsina Airport upon their return from Mecca and handed over to the DSS. The Minister attributed the arrests to the successful integration of NIMC’s database with the Nigeria Immigration Service and international law enforcement platforms, noting that the system now interfaces with Interpol 24/7. He further explained that upon President Tinubu’s assumption of office, the identity data management system was fractured and disconnected, making it impossible to link passport applications with the national identity database. Today, however, no Nigerian can obtain a passport without data pulled directly from NIMC, and the immigration system now mirrors the NIMC database in real time.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio welcomed the presidential assent, noting that the Act reflects the National Assembly’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s evolving security and developmental needs, and expressed confidence that the legislation would strengthen public confidence in the country’s identity management architecture. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu described the signing as a historic milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation, observing that the world had been waiting for Nigeria to modernise its identity management legislation. He remarked that the global community was aware of the obsolescence of the 2007 Act and had been monitoring efforts to retool and redefine the legal framework, adding that the new law demonstrates the Federal Government’s bold commitment to building a robust, trusted and inclusive identity ecosystem. NIMC Director-General Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote described the new law as a major boost to the Commission’s mandate, stating it closes a 19-year gap in legal frameworks during which digital technology evolved rapidly, and emphasised that the legislation is not merely an amendment but a bold leap into the future that establishes a world-class digital identity system capable of improving access to services for all Nigerians.

According to NIMC, implementation of the new Act will deliver significant benefits including wider, easier, and more convenient access to identity services, stronger protection of personal data and privacy, enhanced cybersecurity and greater confidence in digital transactions, faster and more secure identity verification and authentication, improved interoperability across government and private-sector platforms, and expanded financial and social inclusion. The reform directly advances President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by accelerating digital transformation, strengthening national security, and supporting the administration’s vision of building a one-trillion-dollar economy.

Tinubu Signs NIMC Bill Into Law: “One Person, One Identity” Framework Takes Effect

Lawmakers should be paid per sitting, not monthly salaries — Ndume

Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has renewed his call for sweeping reforms to Nigeria’s legislative system, proposing that the National Assembly should operate on a part-time basis, with lawmakers receiving payments only when they attend plenary sessions and committee meetings.

Speaking during an interview on Trust TV on Friday, the former Senate Chief Whip argued that the current full-time structure of the legislature contributes significantly to the country’s high cost of governance and should be reviewed in line with Nigeria’s economic realities.

According to Ndume, members of the National Assembly do not function like regular civil servants who report to work every day. Instead, he said their official duties are largely centred on legislative sittings, committee engagements, oversight functions and constituency responsibilities, making a full-time arrangement unnecessary.

“To me, I said it, what are we doing? We have been on recess for several times. Let us be paid by sitting. If you sit, you get paid. If you are not sitting, you are not paid,” the senator said.

He added that Nigeria could significantly reduce public spending by adopting a part-time legislature similar to those practised in some democracies where lawmakers maintain professional careers while carrying out legislative duties.

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“And to me, we can even make the National Assembly work part time,” Ndume stated.

Ndume maintained that his proposal is part of broader efforts to reduce Nigeria’s rising cost of governance, which has remained a major concern amid economic hardship, rising inflation and dwindling public revenues.

He argued that political office should be driven by service rather than financial gain, insisting that lawmakers should earn sitting allowances instead of fixed monthly salaries.

According to him, funds saved from running a part-time legislature could be redirected to critical sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure and security.

Ndume has consistently advocated measures aimed at reducing government expenditure and has, on several occasions, urged political office holders to make sacrifices in the interest of national development.

Beyond his proposal for legislative reform, Ndume also expressed reservations over the manner in which the Senate handled discussions on the proposed State Police Bill.

While acknowledging that creating state police could strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture, he warned against making far-reaching constitutional amendments without extensive consultations and careful legislative scrutiny.

The senator stressed that major national policies should not be passed simply because they enjoy executive backing, noting that lawmakers have a constitutional responsibility to thoroughly examine every proposal before approving it.

“Senate is a committee of elders. You just don’t come one day, sit down because the President wants state police, you just pass it overnight.

“You are supposed to sit down, deliberate on it and get the input. We have passed the bill. Has the state police taken off today?” he queried.

According to Ndume, sensitive issues such as state policing require broad engagement with stakeholders, security experts and the Nigerian public to ensure that any constitutional amendment serves the country’s long-term interests.

Ndume’s latest remarks are consistent with his long-standing campaign for reforms within the National Assembly.

Over the years, the Borno lawmaker has repeatedly argued that Nigeria’s legislature is too expensive to maintain and has called for measures that would make it more efficient, transparent and accountable.

His latest proposal is expected to spark fresh debate over lawmakers’ salaries, allowances and the overall structure of the National Assembly, especially at a time when Nigerians continue to demand prudent management of public resources.

Political analysts believe discussions on reducing the cost of governance are likely to gain renewed momentum as the country seeks sustainable ways to address its economic challenges while improving public confidence in democratic institutions.

Lawmakers should be paid per sitting, not monthly salaries — Ndume

Shelve State Police Until After 2027 Election, Obi Tells Tinubu

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, has urged President Bola Tinubu to postpone the implementation of the newly passed State Police framework until after the 2027 general election, warning that the initiative could be exploited for partisan purposes if introduced before the polls .

Obi made the call in a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, June 26, 2026, titled “State Police: Commendable Step, but Disorderly Legislation Raises Concerns of Political Misuse” . His intervention comes barely days after the Senate passed the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish state police, a landmark reform aimed at decentralising Nigeria’s policing system in response to growing insecurity across the country .

Obi began by acknowledging the significance of the legislative milestone. He noted that the passage of the State Police Bill represents a long-standing demand of the Nigerian people, as many security experts and regional stakeholders have consistently argued that a highly centralised policing structure is fundamentally unsuitable for a country as vast, diverse, and complex as Nigeria . “For years, many of us, alongside security experts and regional stakeholders, have consistently argued that a highly centralised policing structure is fundamentally unsuitable for a country as vast, diverse, and complex as Nigeria,” Obi stated .

However, the former Anambra State governor criticised what he described as a flawed and disorderly legislative process that lacked adequate public participation and transparency . He expressed concern that such a sensitive constitutional amendment was rushed through without proper public hearings, which has fuelled suspicion among observers about the political motives behind the initiative . “The mechanism for passing the law appears highly disorganised, with no public hearing on such a sensitive issue. Indeed, the rush to enact the law without proper legislative procedures fuels suspicion among many observers about the political motives behind it,” he said . Obi maintained that such a far-reaching security reform required extensive engagement with citizens and stakeholders, insisting that policing should be more visible at the community and local government levels .

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Obi said his greatest concern was not logistical issues but the possibility that state police forces could become instruments in the hands of governors to intimidate political opponents, disrupt opposition activities, and manipulate elections . He cited Nigeria’s political history as justification for this fear, warning that a state-controlled police force could be weaponised against political rivals . “The greatest concern does not arise from logistical issues; it stems from history. There is a widespread, justifiable fear that state police forces could become instruments in the hands of governors. The suspicion is that a state-controlled police force could be weaponised to suppress political rivals, disrupt opposition rallies, and manipulate elections,” he warned .

To guard against such abuses, Obi called for the establishment of independent oversight institutions insulated from executive interference before state police become operational . He proposed the creation of state-level Police Service Commissions that are entirely free from executive influence to ensure that policing serves the public interest rather than the interests of the ruling elite . “For state policing to evolve from a risky political gamble into a genuine security solution, the law must not only permit states to establish police forces but also clearly provide for independent oversight bodies, such as a state-level Police Service Commission that is entirely free from executive influence, to ensure that policing serves the public interest rather than the interests of the ruling elite,” he said .

Obi further expressed doubts that the current administration would resist the temptation to use state policing to influence the 2027 general election by proxy, given what Nigerians have witnessed so far . He argued that implementing the new State Police law before the next general election could allow governors to deploy state-controlled police forces to intimidate political opponents and influence electoral outcomes . “Going by what Nigerians have seen so far, there is no guarantee that this administration can resist the temptation to take advantage of state policing to influence the 2027 general election by proxy. In view of that possibility and the danger it poses to the polity, it is necessary to defer its implementation until after the general election,” Obi stated . He concluded his statement with his trademark slogan: “A New Nigeria is Possible” .

The Senate on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, passed the landmark Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish state police across the federation, marking a major step in Nigeria’s decades-long debate over decentralising the country’s policing structure . The bill was approved after a clause-by-clause consideration during plenary and secured the support of more than two-thirds of senators through a manual voting process after the electronic voting system crashed . The proposed constitutional amendment empowers states to establish and operate their own police services, while retaining a Federal Police Service with overarching responsibility for national security, including terrorism, border protection, and other federal offences . The bill now awaits approval by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly before it can be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent and eventual implementation .

The passed bill introduces significant constitutional safeguards to prevent abuse of state police powers by political office holders . Under the proposal, governors would be constitutionally barred from deploying state police services for partisan, ethnic, religious, sectional, or personal purposes . The bill further provides for the establishment of independent State Police Service Commissions in each state to oversee recruitment, promotions, discipline, and general administration . Additionally, federal intervention in state police operations would be permitted only under exceptional circumstances, such as a breakdown of public order, serious violations of fundamental rights, or electoral intimidation, and would require written authorisation by the president subject to Senate oversight .

Shelve State Police Until After 2027 Election, Obi Tells Tinubu