18yrs after, Tinubu signs new NIMC act into law

…targets $1trn economy with new digital ID framework

By Precious Mark

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law, completely repealing the NIMC Act of 2007.

The new law introduces a General Multipurpose Card, enforces strict data privacy, and cracks down heavily on identity fraud as part of the administration’s drive toward a one-trillion-dollar economy.

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) announced this in a statement signed on Friday by Dr. Kayode Adegoke, its Head of Corporate Communications.

According to the Commission, the new law represents the most significant reform of Nigeria’s identity management legal framework since NIMC’s inception, positioning the country to fully harness the opportunities presented by the global digital economy.

A major highlight of the new law is the pivotal role assigned to NIMC within Nigeria’s digital network. The Act formally designates the Commission as the Root Certification Authority for Nigeria’s National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

“This landmark legislation marks a transformative milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward a secure, inclusive, and digitally empowered nation establishing 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 statement read.

NIMC further stated that the law empowers it to ensure secure and seamless data exchange among all public and private entities, including Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), thereby laying the legal and institutional foundation for a trusted digital economy.

Explaining the necessity of the new law, the Commission noted that nearly two decades after the 2007 Act laid the foundation for Nigeria’s National Identity System, the global digital landscape has shifted dramatically.

“The rapid expansion of digital services, e-governance, electronic commerce, data protection requirements, and evolving cybersecurity threats created an urgent need for a more robust and contemporary legal framework,” the statement added.

To address these changes, the 2026 Act introduces several key innovations. Chief among these is the NIMC General Multipurpose Card.

Positioned as a versatile credential for nationwide identity verification under the theme “One Card, Multiple Possibilities,” the card aims to streamline identity authentication across the country.

The law also formally recognizes both physical and digital identity formats, ensuring that digital credentials securely linked to an individual’s National Identification Number (NIN) are fully validated.

At the same time, the Act introduces robust data protection and privacy mechanisms, aligning NIMC’s operations with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) and international best practices.

It also institutes stronger anti-fraud measures, prescribing stringent penalties for multiple registrations, identity theft, and impersonation to safeguard the system under the principle of “One Person, One Identity.”

The law further mandates a stronger focus on inclusivity for vulnerable groups.

The Commission revealed that the legislation introduces an innovative identifier system and mandates special measures to facilitate the enrollment of underserved populations, including persons without permanent residences, to ensure that no one is left behind.

The Commission emphasized that the reform directly advances President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by accelerating digital transformation, strengthening national security, and expanding social and financial inclusion.

While expressing its profound gratitude to President Tinubu for his visionary leadership and decisive action, the Commission also commended the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Joint Committee on Identity and National Population Commission, and the Honourable Minister of Interior for their vital contributions to the passage of the bill.

The commission assured Nigerians and legal residents, including those in the Diaspora, that the transition would be smooth.

“The Commission will, in due course, issue such regulations, guidelines, and other subsidiary instruments as may be necessary to give full effect to the provisions of the Act,” the statement concluded.