President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law, marking a major milestone in Nigeria's efforts to strengthen its digital identity management framework.
The President assented to the legislation on Friday during a ceremony held at the State House, Abuja. The development was announced by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement released shortly after the signing.
The newly enacted law repeals and replaces the previous legal framework governing the National Identity Management Commission, introducing comprehensive reforms aimed at modernising the country's identity management system. The legislation is expected to enhance national security, improve public service delivery, promote digital inclusion, and strengthen the use of the National Identification Number (NIN) as the foundation for identity verification across government institutions and the private sector.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the Act as a landmark reform that would improve infrastructure planning, immigration management, border security, and economic development through a more reliable and integrated digital identity system. He noted that the National Assembly subjected the bill to extensive legislative scrutiny, including public hearings and international benchmarking, before its passage.
Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo also welcomed the presidential assent, saying the law would empower NIMC to harmonise identity records, improve interoperability among government databases, and provide a stronger foundation for national security and efficient governance. NIMC Director-General Bisoye Coker-Odusote described the legislation as a transformative reform that bridges a 19-year gap in Nigeria's identity management legal framework.
The assent comes weeks after President Tinubu initially declined to sign an earlier version of the bill, citing drafting inconsistencies and constitutional concerns. Following corrections by the National Assembly, the revised legislation was approved and has now become law.
