Tinubu Signs NIMC Act 2026 into Law, Expands Commission’s Role as Nigeria’s Digital Identity Authority

President Bola Tinubu has signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law, replacing the 2007 legislation and significantly expanding the commission’s mandate to oversee Nigeria’s digital identity infrastructure.

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) disclosed the development in a statement issued on Friday by its Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke.

Under the new law, NIMC is designated as Nigeria’s Root Certification Authority for the National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), placing the commission at the centre of the country’s digital identity, authentication and electronic trust ecosystem.

Strengthening Nigeria’s Digital Identity Framework

According to NIMC, the legislation provides a modern legal framework that aligns Nigeria’s identity management system with global best practices and emerging technologies.

The commission said the Act strengthens cybersecurity, enhances data protection, promotes financial inclusion and supports the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda.

A key provision designates NIMC as the trusted national authority for digital identity authentication, electronic trust services, digital certificates, encryption and secure identity verification across public and private sector platforms.

The law also empowers the commission to facilitate secure and interoperable data exchange among government agencies, financial institutions and private organisations, laying the 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,” the commission stated.

Stronger Data Protection and Identity Security

NIMC noted that the previous legal framework had been in place for nearly two decades despite significant changes in the global digital landscape, including the rapid growth of e-commerce, digital government services, cybersecurity threats and data protection requirements.

The commission said the National Identification Number (NIN) remains Nigeria’s foundational identity credential under the principle of “One Person, One Identity,” enabling seamless identity verification across multiple platforms.

The Act introduces enhanced safeguards for personal data, aligning Nigeria’s identity management framework with the Nigeria Data Protection Act and international privacy standards.

It also provides stricter penalties for multiple registrations while strengthening measures to combat identity theft, impersonation and other identity-related offences.

In addition, both physical and digital identity credentials are formally recognised under the new law, with all credentials linked to an individual’s NIN.

To improve inclusion, the legislation introduces special enrolment measures for vulnerable and underserved populations, including persons without permanent residences.

Benefits for Nigerians

According to NIMC, implementation of the Act is expected to improve access to identity services for Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora.

The commission said citizens should benefit from faster and more secure identity verification, stronger protection of personal information, improved interoperability among institutions and reduced identity-related fraud.

Other anticipated benefits include wider financial inclusion, enhanced cybersecurity, improved ease of doing business and more efficient public service delivery.

World Bank Funding Milestone

The amendment of the NIMC Act was one of the key conditions for Nigeria to access full funding under the World Bank’s $430 million Identity for Development (ID4D) project.

In its latest project report, the World Bank said Nigeria had made significant progress toward meeting the final disbursement requirement by amending the Act to establish a more inclusive and non-discriminatory legal and regulatory framework for identity management.

The Bank also revised its project target, increasing the number of Nigerians expected to obtain a National Identification Number (NIN) from 148 million to 180 million.