By MUHYIDEEN JIMOH

President Bola Tinubu on Friday signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law, strengthening Nigeria’s legal framework for digital identity management, cybersecurity and national security.

The signing ceremony at the State House was attended by President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, House Committee Chairman Julius Ihonvbere, Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi and Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Others present included NIMC Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote, World Bank Country Representative Taimur Samad and other senior government officials.

The new law repeals the NIMC Act of 2007 and establishes a modern legal framework aligned with global best practices, emerging technologies and Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.

It designates NIMC as Nigeria’s Root Certification Authority for the National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

The Act empowers the commission to provide secure digital identity, authentication and electronic trust services while enabling seamless data exchange across government and private-sector institutions.

It also reinforces the National Identification Number (NIN) as Nigeria’s foundational identity credential under the “One Person, One Identity” principle.

Speaking after the signing, Akpabio described the legislation as a landmark reform that would improve national planning, infrastructure development, border management and security.

He said the National Assembly subjected the bill to extensive legislative scrutiny, including public hearings and international benchmarking, before its passage.

“We wanted legislation that would outlive us and serve generations of Nigerians because digital identity is central to national development,” he said.

Akpabio said integrating identity databases with security platforms had already strengthened law enforcement and would further enhance Nigeria’s security architecture.

He added that the legislation aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and would support ongoing constitutional and security reforms.

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, described the Act as a forward-looking reform that would strengthen identity management, database harmonisation, interoperability and secure digital authentication.

According to him, the legislation will provide the legal foundation for Nigeria’s evolving digital and security architecture.

NIMC Director-General, Mrs Abisoye Coker-Odusote, described the President’s assent as a historic milestone that modernises Nigeria’s identity management framework after nearly two decades.

She said the Act establishes NIMC as the Federal Government’s trusted digital identity authority with responsibility for secure authentication, encryption, digital signatures and trusted electronic services.

According to her, the law will strengthen cybersecurity, improve public service delivery, expand financial and digital inclusion, promote confidence in online transactions and accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation.

She said NIMC would implement the legislation with transparency, professionalism and strict data protection standards to ensure every Nigerian benefits from a secure and inclusive digital identity ecosystem.

Coker-Odusote commended Tinubu, the National Assembly, the Ministry of Interior, development partners and other stakeholders for supporting what she described as the most significant reform of Nigeria’s identity management system since NIMC’s establishment. (NAN)

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