President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday, June 26, assented to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026.
The signing took place at the State House, Abuja, in the presence of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and the House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere.
Others who witnessed the signing are the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; the representative of the World Bank, Taimur Samad; and the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Dr Abisoye Coker-Odusote.
The new Act, which repeals and replaces the NIMC Act of 2007, marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to modernise identity management, enhance national security, improve public service delivery, and deepen the nation’s digital economy.
According to a statement signed by Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the new Act would help in enhancing the country’s security architecture and improving access to government services.
While highlighting the importance of a comprehensive database in national security, Tunji-Ojo revealed that the existing network of databases was used in the arrest of some terrorists returning to Nigeria from the Holy Pilgrimage last week.
He thanked President Tinubu for signing the new laws. According to him, the country’s identity data management system was fragmented when Tinubu’s administration came on board, but through painstaking efforts, they have succeeded in seamlessly integrating the system across agencies.
He maintained that the new law will accelerate the harmonisation of identity databases, enhance the integrity of the National Identity Number (NIN) system, improve inter-agency collaboration, and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to combat identity theft, terrorism, financial crimes and other security threats.
“What you have in immigration is what you have in the NIMC database, and let me say this clearly, that it has even helped our border control process,” the minister stated.
“I know, sometime ago, the Senate President was alarmed by how some terrorists went on pilgrimage, wondering how they crossed our borders. We inherited a fractured system. But I’m happy to tell you that even last week, Thursday, seven of the known commanders of Boko Haram and ISWAP at the point of coming back from Mecca were arrested in Katsina at the airport and were handed over to the DSS.
“This is only possible because NIMC’s ID is already connected with the immigration database, and it’s already speaking to even the Interpol 24/7, and we have been able to automate this,” he added.
The Senate President welcomed the presidential assent, stating that the Act underscores the National Assembly’s commitment to enacting legislation that addresses Nigeria’s changing security and development demands.
Akpabio expressed optimism that the measure would boost public trust in the country’s identity management system.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, hailed the President for signing the new NIMC law, describing it as a significant change that will strengthen governance, promote accountability, and boost national development by establishing a credible identity management system.
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Director-General of NIMC, Dr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, described the new law as a significant boost to the Commission’s mandate and reiterated the Commission’s commitment to implementing the Act’s provisions in cooperation with pertinent government institutions, development partners, and the private sector to deliver a world-class digital identity system.
“This landmark legislation is not just an amendment to an existing law; it is a bold leap into the future,” the NIMC DG stated. She noted that the legal framework governing Nigeria’s identity management system had remained unchanged for almost two decades while the digital landscape had evolved rapidly.
She said the new NIMC Act has closed the gap, adding that it “establishes a modern legal framework that further strengthens Nigeria’s digital public infrastructure, laying the foundation for trusted identity and seamless access to government and private-sector services.”
“It reinforces the National Identification Number as the cornerstone of identity verification and authentication nationwide. The Act also introduces critical innovations that respond to the realities of today’s digital world,” she said.
Victor Ezeja is a Nigerian journalist skilled in producing insightful news analyses, feature stories, and interviews that simplify complex issues and drive informed public discourse. His work combines rigorous research, balanced reporting, and compelling storytelling to highlight developments shaping industries and society. Victor, who holds a Master's Degree in Mass Communication, specializes in energy, aviation, business, and economic reporting. He can be reached via @VICTOREZEJA on X