Tinubu Signs New NIMC Act 2026 into Law, Strengthens Digital Identity, Data Protection

 




By Abdulahi Musa 


President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law, introducing sweeping reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria's digital identity system, enhancing data protection, and expanding access to identity services for citizens at home and abroad.


The new legislation repeals and replaces the NIMC Act of 2007 and is expected to modernise the country's identity management framework in line with global digital standards.


According to the Presidency, the Act marks a significant step towards building a secure, inclusive and digitally empowered Nigeria by providing a stronger legal framework for identity management and electronic trust services.


One of the major highlights of the new law is the introduction of stronger safeguards for the protection of citizens' personal data. The Act aligns Nigeria's identity management system with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) and international best practices, ensuring that personal information is collected, processed, stored and protected under globally accepted privacy standards.


The legislation also designates the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) as the root certification authority for Nigeria's National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). This places the Commission at the centre of the country's secure digital identity ecosystem, making it responsible for digital authentication, electronic trust services and identity verification.


In addition, the Act empowers NIMC to facilitate secure, interoperable and seamless exchange of identity data among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), private organisations and other authorised institutions, a move expected to improve service delivery and reduce duplication across government platforms.


Another key feature of the legislation is the recognition of the NIMC General Multipurpose Card as a nationwide identity credential under the initiative tagged "One Card, Multiple Possibilities." The card is expected to serve multiple purposes, making identity verification easier across public and private sector services.


The Federal Government said the implementation of the new Act will create a trusted and interoperable digital identity ecosystem that enables Nigerians to access essential services more efficiently while boosting confidence in digital transactions.


It added that Nigerians, including those living in the diaspora, would benefit from easier access to identity services, stronger privacy protections, enhanced cybersecurity, faster and more secure identity verification, and improved digital governance.


The government further noted that the new legal framework would support the growth of Nigeria's digital economy and provide a solid foundation for long-term national development.


The signing of the NIMC Act 2026 is also seen as part of President Tinubu's broader economic and digital transformation agenda, with the administration expressing confidence that the reforms will strengthen public trust and contribute to its vision of building a $1 trillion economy.

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