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 The new legislation repeals the outdated 2007 Act and establishes a comprehensive legal framework for digital identity, data protection, and electronic trust services.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.”

READ ALSO:

• State police will revive political abuse of the 1960s, warns ex-CP Singham
• Akpabio’s aide blasts Peter Obi over criticism of State Police Bill
• VIDEO: “Your husband’s death is not up to two years, but you’ve sold his properties” — King Mitchy to Mr Ibu’s wife

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

Akpabio’s aide blasts Peter Obi over criticism of State Police Bill

The media aide to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tijani Mustapha, has taken a swipe at the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, accusing him of criticising the recently passed State Police Bill without reading its provisions.

Mustapha’s reaction followed Obi’s criticism of the Senate’s passage of the State Police Bill, which the former Anambra State governor described as hurried and lacking due legislative scrutiny.

Obi had argued that the speed with which the National Assembly approved the constitutional amendment heightened public suspicion over the political intentions behind the proposed creation of state police. According to him, the absence of a broad public hearing and extensive stakeholder consultations raised concerns about the transparency of the legislative process.

The former Labour Party presidential candidate further warned that allowing states to establish their own police forces without strong institutional safeguards could expose the system to political abuse.

“The suspicion is that a state-controlled police force could be weaponised to suppress political rivals, disrupt opposition rallies, and manipulate elections,” Obi stated.

He maintained that state police would only become a credible solution to Nigeria’s worsening security crisis if the law establishes truly independent oversight institutions insulated from political interference.

According to Obi, each state should have an autonomous State Police Service Commission with constitutional guarantees that prevent governors or other political office holders from exercising undue influence over recruitment, promotions, discipline and operational decisions.

READ ALSO:

• VIDEO: “Your husband’s death is not up to two years, but you’ve sold his properties” — King Mitchy to Mr Ibu’s wife
• Lawmakers should be paid per sitting, not monthly salaries — Ndume
• Tinubu approves new health technology agency to modernise Nigeria’s healthcare system

Responding in a post on X, Mustapha dismissed Obi’s criticism, insisting that the former presidential candidate had failed to study the bill before commenting on it.

“You clearly didn’t read the bill as passed,” Mustapha wrote.

According to him, Obi’s principal concern regarding an independent State Police Service Commission had already been addressed in the legislation approved by the Senate.

“I know this because his major concern of the creation of an independent State Police Service Commission was duly addressed in the bill.

“For a man who doesn’t know the meaning of KPI, one again wonders what this individual’s mental capacities are,” Mustapha added.

The State Police Bill is one of the most significant constitutional reform proposals currently before the National Assembly. It seeks to decentralise policing by allowing states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the Nigeria Police Force, which has remained the country’s only constitutionally recognised police institution since 1999.

The bill provides for the establishment of State Police Service Commissions in every state to oversee recruitment, appointments, promotions and disciplinary matters. The commissions are intended to function independently as oversight bodies to reduce political interference in the administration of state police.

The proposed legislation also outlines minimum operational standards, coordination between federal and state police agencies, funding arrangements, training requirements and mechanisms for cooperation on national security matters. It further provides circumstances under which the Federal Government may intervene where security situations overwhelm state police formations.

Supporters of the bill argue that decentralising policing will strengthen intelligence gathering, improve community policing and enable quicker responses to crimes such as kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and communal violence.

However, opponents remain concerned that governors could exploit state police to intimidate political opponents, influence elections and suppress dissent despite the safeguards contained in the bill.

Although the Senate has passed the State Police Bill, the constitutional amendment process is not yet complete.

For the proposal to become law, it must secure approval from at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 State Houses of Assembly before it is transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for presidential assent.

The debate over state police remains one of Nigeria’s most contentious constitutional issues, with supporters viewing it as a solution to the country’s persistent insecurity, while critics continue to demand stronger constitutional safeguards against abuse.

Akpabio’s aide blasts Peter Obi over criticism of State Police Bill

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.

READ ALSO:

• Borno: Troops Dismantle ISWAP Roadblock, Rescue 53 Hostages
• 44 Violent Incidents, 13 Deaths: Adeleke Demands Osun CP’s Removal Ahead of August Poll
• ‘Disconnected From Reality’ – Nigerians Blast Remi Tinubu Over Akara Business Comments

“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