By Emelayo Nwosu
Preident Bola Tinubu on Friday in Abuja signed the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Bill 2026 into Law.
The National Identity Management Commission announced this on Friday in a release issued by Kayode Adegoke, Head, Corporate Communications.
Adegoke said the new legislation, which repealed and replaced the NIMC Act of 2007, signals Nigeria’s journey towards a secure, inclusive and digitally empowered nation.
“It establishes a modern, forward-looking legal framework that aligns Nigeria’s identity ecosystem with global best practices, emerging technologies and the demands of a rapidly evolving digital economy,” Adegoke said in the release
Listing the features of the new NIMC Act, he said it designates the NIMC as the Root Certification Authority for Nigeria’s National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
According to him, the NIMC Act 2026 establishes the Commission as the nation’s trusted authority responsible for underpinning secure digital identity, authentication and electronic trust services across government and private-sector digital platforms.
“The Act further empowers NIMC to ensure secure, interoperable and seamless data exchange among all public and private entities, laying the legal and institutional foundation for a trusted digital economy,” he said.
Noting that the reforms being brought by the new law directly advances President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Adegoke said it would accelerate digital transformation, strengthen national security, expand financial and social inclusion, and improve public service delivery.
He also said that the NIMC 2026 would support the development of a secure digital public infrastructure capable of driving innovation, economic growth and Nigeria’s aspiration of becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy.
Explaining why the new law was necessary, Adegoke said it would facilitate
governance, electronic commerce, data protection requirements and evolving cybersecurity
“Nearly two decades after the 2007 Act laid the foundation for Nigeria’s National Identity System the global digital landscape has changed dramatically.
“The rapid expansion of digital services, threats created an urgent need for a more robust and contemporary legal framework
“The NIMC Act 2026 responds to these realities by modernising Nigeria’s identity management framework, strengthening digital trust, protecting citizens’ personal data, entrancing cybersecurity and positioning the country to fully harness the opportunities presented by the global digital economy,” he stated.
According to Adegoke, the NIMC Act 2026 strengthens the Commission’s role as the statutory authority responsible for national identity.
“It firmly establishes the National Identification Number (NIN) Identity.” and enables seamless identity verification and authentication across government and private-sector platforms.
“Importantly, the Act positions NIMC at the centre of Nigeria’s digital trust architecture by assigning it strategic responsibility for the National Public Key Infrastructure and Digital Public Infrastructure.”
Among the major highlights in the new law as listed by Adegoke are robust data protection and privacy, national Public Key Infrastructure, PKI; secure digital identity and interoperability as well as and general multipurpose card.
The NIMC 2026 Act also provides for inclusivity for vulnerable groups,
stronger anti-fraud measures and recognition of multiple identity formats.
“The implementation of the Act will deliver significant benefits by creating a trusted, secure and interoperable digital identity ecosystem that enables seamless access to services across both the public and private sectors while strengthening electronic trust across Nigeria’s digital economy,” Adegoke said.
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