From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law, paving the way for a new legal framework for Nigeria’s identity management system.
The new law repeals and replaces the NIMC Act of 2007 and expands the commission’s powers in digital identity, data protection, cybersecurity and identity verification across public and private platforms.
In a statement on Thursday, the commission said the law designates NIMC as the Root Certification Authority for Nigeria’s National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
According to the statement signed by the Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, the designation positions the commission as the trusted authority for secure digital identity, authentication and electronic trust services in the country.
“The signing into law of the NIMC Act 2026 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marks a transformative milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards a secure, inclusive and digitally empowered nation,” the statement said.
NIMC said the new law strengthens its role as the statutory authority responsible for the national identity management system and reinforces the principle of “One Person. One Identity.”
The Act also formally recognises both physical and digital identity credentials linked to the National Identification Number, NIN.
Among its key provisions are stronger data protection and privacy safeguards, special enrolment measures for vulnerable groups, stricter penalties for multiple registrations, and measures to curb identity theft and impersonation.
The law also provides for the General Multipurpose Card as an identity credential and seeks to improve interoperability among ministries, departments and agencies, private organisations and other authorised entities.
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