President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law, replacing the nearly two-decade-old legislation with a modern legal framework designed to strengthen Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem.

The President announced the signing on Friday, describing the new law as a major milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation and economic development.

“I have today signed the NIMC Act 2026 into law.

“For nearly twenty years, Nigeria’s identity system operated under a law written for a different era. That era is over.

“This new Act gives our nation a modern, secure and digital identity framework fit for the Nigeria we are building, a Nigeria on the path to becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy,” Tinubu stated.

The new legislation replaces the National Identity Management Commission Act of 2007 and introduces reforms aimed at improving data protection, strengthening cybersecurity, enabling legally recognized digital signatures, and promoting seamless data sharing among government agencies and private organizations.

According to government officials, the law is expected to simplify access to public services, reduce identity fraud, improve governance, and deepen Nigeria’s digital economy.

Speaking on the significance of the legislation, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the country’s identity management system has already demonstrated its effectiveness in enhancing national security. He cited a recent incident where the National Identification Number (NIN) database helped security agencies identify suspected terrorists arriving from Saudi Arabia through Katsina Airport.

The Federal Government also disclosed that more than 100 million Nigerians have already been enrolled under the National Identification Number (NIN) programme, reflecting the success of the “One Person, One Identity” initiative.

Officials believe the modernized identity framework will improve financial inclusion, boost confidence in digital transactions, support e-government services, and provide the secure digital infrastructure needed to accelerate economic growth.

The NIMC Act 2026 forms part of the Tinubu administration’s broader agenda to digitize public services, strengthen national security, and position Nigeria as one of Africa’s leading digital economies.

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