President Bola Tinubu on Friday assented to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026.

The new Act, which repeals and replaces the NIMC Act of 2007, is a piece of legislation, signifying a transformative milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards a secure, inclusive, and digitally empowered nation.

What Is New?

It provides robust data protection and privacy by introducing stronger safeguards for personal data in alignment with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) and international best practices, ensuring that Nigerians’ personal information is processed, stored, and protected in accordance with globally accepted privacy standards.

The new law designates NIMC as the root certification authority for Nigeria’s National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), establishing the Commission as the nation’s trusted authority responsible for secure digital identity, authentication, and electronic trust services.

It empowers NIMC to ensure secure, interoperable, and seamless data exchange among Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), private organisations, and other authorised entities.

It positions the NIMC General Multipurpose Card as a versatile identity credential for nationwide identity verification under the theme “One Card, Multiple Possibilities,” among other things.

Why It Matters To Nigerians

An explainer by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, noted that the implementation of the Act will deliver significant benefits by creating a trusted, secure, and interoperable digital identity ecosystem that enables seamless access to services across both the public and private sectors while strengthening electronic trust across Nigeria’s digital economy.

According to him, with this new law, Nigerians, even those in the diaspora, can expect wider, easier, and more convenient access to identity services; stronger protection of personal data and privacy.

It will also enhance cybersecurity and greater confidence in digital transactions; faster, safer, and more secure identity verification and authentication; and a stronger foundation for Nigeria’s digital economy, digital governance, and long-term national development.

Tunji-Ojo noted that the landmark accomplishment renews the trust of Nigerians in President Tinubu’s commitment to building a one trillion dollar economy. (Channels)

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