Tinubu Signs NIMC Act 2026, Targets 180m Digital IDs for....

President Bola Tinubu has signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law, ushering in a new legal framework that positions the commission as Nigeria’s central digital identity authority and strengthens the country’s push towards a fully integrated digital economy.

The new legislation replaces the 2007 NIMC Act and grants the commission expanded powers to oversee Nigeria’s digital identity infrastructure, electronic authentication systems and secure data exchange platforms, a development expected to accelerate financial inclusion, improve cybersecurity and boost digital transactions.

Under the new law, NIMC becomes the nation’s Root Certification Authority for Nigeria’s National Public Key Infrastructure and Digital Public Infrastructure, placing the commission at the centre of digital identity authentication, electronic trust services and secure identity verification across both government and private institutions.

The development is expected to support Nigeria’s ambition of building a technology-driven economy while deepening the use of digital services in banking, telecommunications, healthcare, taxation and public administration.

In a statement issued by the Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, Kayode Adegoke, the commission described the legislation as a landmark reform designed to align Nigeria’s identity ecosystem with global standards and emerging technological realities.

According to the commission, the law directly supports President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by strengthening digital transformation, enhancing national security, promoting financial inclusion and improving service delivery.

“This landmark reform directly advances President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by accelerating digital transformation, strengthening national security, expanding financial and social inclusion, improving public service delivery and supporting the development of a secure Digital Public Infrastructure,” NIMC stated.

The legislation comes at a critical period when Nigeria is seeking to expand the number of citizens enrolled in the National Identification Number (NIN) database.

The World Bank recently increased Nigeria’s NIN enrolment target under the Identity for Development (ID4D) programme from 148 million to 180 million people, highlighting the importance of digital identity in economic inclusion and access to government services.

Industry analysts believe the new law could significantly boost Nigeria’s digital economy by providing a trusted identity infrastructure for financial services, e-commerce, fintech operations and electronic transactions.

The commission said the National Identification Number would remain the country’s foundational identity credential, reinforcing the principle of “One Person, One Identity” while enabling seamless verification across multiple platforms.

The new law also introduces stronger data protection provisions that align with the Nigeria Data Protection Act and international privacy standards.

In addition, it imposes tougher penalties for multiple registrations, identity theft, impersonation and other identity-related offences.

Both physical and digital identity credentials are now formally recognised under the law, with all credentials linked directly to an individual’s NIN.

The commission said the legislation also contains provisions to facilitate enrolment for vulnerable and underserved populations, including persons without permanent residences, thereby supporting broader social inclusion.

Analysts say the law could strengthen Nigeria’s digital payment ecosystem by improving customer verification, reducing fraud and enhancing trust in online transactions.

The legislation was one of the key conditions required for Nigeria to access the remaining funding under the $430 million World Bank Identity for Development project.

With the country targeting 180 million digital identities and expanding digital public infrastructure, the new NIMC Act is expected to become a major pillar of Nigeria’s digital economy, supporting financial inclusion, improving government efficiency and strengthening confidence in digital transactions.