…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 by Dr. Kayode Adegoke, its Head of Corporate Communications on Friday.
According to the Commission, the new law represents the most significant reform of Nigeria’s identity management legal framework since NIMC was established, positioning the country to fully harness the opportunities presented by the global digital economy.
A major highlight of the new law is the role given 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 towards 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 why the new law was necessary, 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 changed 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 Act 2026 introduces several key innovations.
Chief among these is the NIMC General Multipurpose Card. Positioned as a versatile identity credential for nationwide identity verification under the theme “One Card, Multiple Possibilities,” the card aims to help drive identity verification across the country.
Furthermore, the law formally recognizes both physical and digital identity formats, ensuring that digital credentials securely linked to an individual’s National Identification Number (NIN) are fully recognized.
At the same time, the Act introduces robust data protection and privacy, aligning NIMC’s operations with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) and international best practices.
It also introduces stronger anti-fraud measures, prescribing stringent penalties for multiple registrations, identity theft, and impersonation to protect the identity system under the principle of “One Person, One Identity.”
Crucially, the law 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 contributions to the passage of the bill.
NIMC 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.