Tinubu signs NIMC Act 2026
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assented to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026, introducing a new legal framework aimed at modernising Nigeria’s digital identity system and strengthening cybersecurity.
The President signed the legislation at the State House on Friday.
Announcing the development, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said in a brief statement that, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assented to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 in the State House on Friday.”
The NIMC described the new legislation as a major milestone in Nigeria’s drive towards building a secure, inclusive and digitally enabled economy.
According to the commission, the Act repeals and replaces the NIMC Act of 2007, providing a modern legal framework designed to align Nigeria’s identity management system with global best practices, emerging technologies and the growing demands of the digital economy.
A key provision of the new law designates NIMC as the Root Certification Authority for Nigeria’s National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), making the commission the country’s trusted authority for secure digital identity, authentication and electronic trust services across government and private sector platforms.
The commission said the Act also empowers it to facilitate secure, interoperable and seamless data exchange among public and private institutions, laying the legal foundation for a trusted digital economy.
According to NIMC, the legislation supports President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by accelerating digital transformation, strengthening national security, expanding financial and social inclusion, improving public service delivery and supporting Nigeria’s ambition of building a one-trillion-dollar economy.
The commission explained that the Act responds to the rapid growth of digital services and evolving cybersecurity threats by modernising the country’s identity management framework, enhancing digital trust and strengthening the protection of citizens’ personal data.
It added that the law reinforces NIMC’s statutory responsibility for managing Nigeria’s national identification system, strengthens the principle of one person, one identity, firmly establishes the National Identification Number (NIN) as the foundation of identity verification and enables seamless authentication across both public and private sector platforms.
NIMC further stated that the legislation places the commission at the centre of Nigeria’s digital trust architecture by assigning it responsibility for managing the country’s National Public Key Infrastructure and Digital Public Infrastructure.
Other major provisions of the Act include stronger data protection and privacy safeguards, enhanced cybersecurity measures, secure digital identity and interoperability, provisions for a general multipurpose identity card, greater inclusion of vulnerable groups and tougher measures against identity fraud.
The commission said Nigerians should expect easier access to identity services, including for citizens living abroad, stronger protection of personal data, enhanced cybersecurity, faster and more secure identity verification, and improved confidence in digital transactions.
According to NIMC, the new legal framework will also promote secure data sharing across government agencies and private organisations, expand access to essential services and provide a stronger foundation for Nigeria’s digital economy.