Tinubu Signs NIMC Act 2026 into Law to Strengthen Nigeria’s Digital Identity System

BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR-President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s drive towards a secure, inclusive and digitally enabled economy.

The Commission said the new legislation repeals and replaces the NIMC Act of 2007, introducing a modern legal framework designed to align Nigeria’s identity management ecosystem with global best practices, emerging technologies and the evolving demands of the digital economy.

According to the Commission, one of the key provisions of the new Act is the designation of NIMC as Nigeria’s Root Certification Authority for the National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

The designation establishes the Commission as the country’s trusted authority for secure digital identity, authentication and electronic trust services across government institutions and private-sector digital platforms.

The Act also empowers NIMC to facilitate secure, interoperable and seamless exchange of identity data among public and private sector organisations, providing the legal and institutional foundation for a trusted digital economy.

NIMC said the legislation supports President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by accelerating digital transformation, strengthening national security, expanding financial and social inclusion and improving public service delivery.

The Commission added that the Act would also promote the development of a secure Digital Public Infrastructure capable of driving innovation, boosting economic growth and supporting Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy.

Describing the legislation as a transformative reform, NIMC said the new legal framework ushers in a new era of secure digital identity and positions Nigeria to build a more resilient, technology-driven economy while enhancing trust in digital transactions across the country.