President Bola Tinubu has signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act, 2026 into law, repealing the 2007 Act and introducing a new legal framework to strengthen Nigeria’s digital identity system.
The new legislation is aimed at building a secure, interoperable and inclusive identity ecosystem that supports digital governance, financial services and national security.
The Act significantly expanded the powers of the National Identity Management Commission, designating it as the Root Certification Authority for Nigeria’s National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). This places NIMC at the centre of the country’s digital identity, authentication and electronic trust systems.
It also reinforced the National Identification Number (NIN) as the foundational identity credential under the principle of “One Person, One Identity,” while empowering the Commission to facilitate secure data exchange among government agencies, financial institutions and private-sector organisations.
According to the Commission, the reform is expected to improve public service delivery, strengthen cybersecurity, enhance digital governance and support Nigeria’s drive toward a one-trillion-dollar economy through technology-led growth.
NIMC described the law as the most significant overhaul of Nigeria’s identity management framework since its establishment nearly two decades ago, citing the rapid growth of digital services, e-commerce and cyber threats as key reasons for the reform.
Under the new Act, the Commission would manage Nigeria’s National Public Key Infrastructure and Digital Public Infrastructure, including digital signatures, certificates, encryption systems and identity verification services to strengthen trust in digital transactions.
The legislation also introduces stronger data protection measures in line with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, while imposing tougher penalties for identity theft, multiple registrations and impersonation.
It further provided for inclusive identity registration, including special provisions for vulnerable and underserved populations such as individuals without permanent residences.
The Act recognises both physical and digital identity credentials linked to the NIN, enabling broader access to digital services and transactions.
NIMC said the implementation will improve identity verification, boost financial inclusion, enhance interoperability across platforms and make it easier to do business in Nigeria.
The Commission commended President Tinubu, the National Assembly, the Ministry of Interior and other stakeholders for supporting the reform, adding that it will issue guidelines for full implementation of the Act.
