President Bola Tinubu has signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law, providing a stronger legal foundation for Nigeria’s digital identity system and supporting the country’s ongoing digital transformation agenda.
Drivetvnews gathered that the announcement was made by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who confirmed that the bill was signed at the State House.
Reacting to the development, the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, described the new legislation as a major milestone that modernises the existing 2007 law and strengthens Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure.
According to her, the Act reinforces the National Identification Number (NIN) as the primary means of identity verification and authentication across the country, making it central to accessing both public and private sector services.
The law also introduces stronger safeguards for personal data, enhances cybersecurity measures, and provides the legal framework for a National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). These provisions are expected to improve digital authentication, encryption, digital signatures, and overall trust in online transactions.
Coker-Odusote noted that the legislation promotes greater inclusion by ensuring that vulnerable and underserved populations have access to legal identity, enabling them to benefit from social, economic, and financial opportunities.
She added that the Act establishes NIMC as the Root Certificate Authority for government transactions, allowing government agencies to issue secure digital certificates that verify the authenticity and integrity of electronic documents while reducing duplication of identity management systems.
The NIMC boss said the new law aligns Nigeria’s digital identity framework with international best practices and is expected to improve the efficiency, security, and reliability of digital services nationwide.
