President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law, marking a major step in the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s digital identity system, improve cybersecurity, and enhance national security.
The new legislation repeals the National Identity Management Commission Act of 2007, replacing it with a modern legal framework designed to meet global standards and support Nigeria’s rapidly growing digital economy.
Announcing the development on X, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the new law provides a stronger legal foundation for digital identity management while embracing emerging technologies and international best practices.
According to him, the Act empowers the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to provide secure digital identity services, authentication systems, electronic trust services and seamless data exchange between government institutions and private organisations.
Tunji-Ojo explained that integrating Nigeria’s identity databases with security platforms has already improved law enforcement operations and will further strengthen the country’s overall security architecture.
The Director-General of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, described President Tinubu’s approval of the law as a historic milestone that modernises Nigeria’s identity management system nearly two decades after the commission was established.
She said the legislation officially positions NIMC as the Federal Government’s trusted digital identity authority, responsible for secure authentication, digital signatures, encryption and other trusted electronic services.
According to Coker-Odusote, the law is expected to improve cybersecurity, strengthen public service delivery, expand financial and digital inclusion, increase confidence in online transactions and accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation.
“The law will strengthen cybersecurity, improve public service delivery, expand financial and digital inclusion, promote confidence in online transactions and accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation,” she said.
She also assured Nigerians that the commission would implement the new law with transparency, professionalism and strict compliance with data protection standards to ensure citizens benefit from a secure and inclusive digital identity system.
The National Assembly began the process of amending the NIMC Act in 2024 as part of efforts to improve Nigeria’s identity management system and address emerging digital challenges.
With the signing of the new Act, the Federal Government hopes to create a safer and more efficient digital identity ecosystem capable of supporting economic growth, public service delivery and national security.
Source: statements from Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and NIMC DG Abisoye Coker-Odusote).
