President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law, replacing the 2007 legislation and introducing a stronger legal framework for digital identity management, cybersecurity and national security in Nigeria.
Gatekeepers News reports that the new law designates NIMC as the country’s Root Certification Authority for the National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), giving the commission a central role in securing digital identity, authentication and electronic trust services across public and private institutions.
According to Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the legislation will improve identity management, harmonise government databases and strengthen secure digital authentication. He said the law aligns Nigeria’s identity ecosystem with global standards and supports the country’s growing digital economy.
The Act also reinforces the National Identification Number (NIN) as the country’s primary identity credential under the “one person, one identity” principle while enabling secure data sharing among government agencies, financial institutions and private organisations. It introduces stronger protections for personal data, tighter measures against identity theft and expanded access to identity services for vulnerable groups.
Speaking after the signing, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the legislation as a major reform that would enhance national planning, border management and security.
NIMC Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote said the law modernises Nigeria’s identity management system and will help improve public service delivery, cybersecurity and confidence in digital transactions.
