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

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 The new legislation repeals the outdated 2007 Act and establishes a comprehensive legal framework for digital identity, data protection, and electronic trust services.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