President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law, establishing a new legal framework designed to strengthen Nigeria’s digital identity system, improve national security, and enhance access to public services.
The signing ceremony, held on Friday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, was attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, World Bank representative Taimur Samad, and NIMC Director-General Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote.
Speaking at the event, Interior Minister Tunji-Ojo described the new legislation as a major milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s internal security architecture.
He revealed that the country’s integrated identity management system recently helped security agencies identify and arrest seven suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders upon their return from the Holy Pilgrimage. According to him, the suspects were apprehended at Katsina Airport last Thursday before being handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS).
Tunji-Ojo attributed the success to the integration of the National Identity Number (NIN) database with immigration records and the Interpol 24/7 network.
He explained that before the current administration, Nigeria’s identity management system was fragmented, with passport applications, driver’s licences, and other official records operating independently of the NIMC database.
According to the minister, applicants can now no longer obtain a Nigerian passport without verification through the National Identity Number database, significantly improving identity authentication and border security.
He added that the new law would accelerate the harmonisation of government identity databases, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, and improve Nigeria’s capacity to tackle identity theft, terrorism, financial crimes, and other security threats.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the presidential assent as another demonstration of the National Assembly’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s security and development challenges through legislation.
Similarly, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu said the law marks a significant step in Nigeria’s digital transformation, replacing the outdated 2007 NIMC Act with a more modern framework capable of promoting accountability, improving governance, and supporting national development.
In her remarks, NIMC Director-General Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote said the Commission would work closely with government institutions, development partners, and the private sector to fully implement the provisions of the new Act.
She described the legislation as a landmark reform that modernises Nigeria’s identity management system after nearly two decades and reinforces the National Identification Number (NIN) as the country’s central platform for identity verification and authentication.
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