Nigeria’s identity ecosystem is set to align with global best practices, emerging technologies and the demands of a rapidly evolving digital economy following the signing into law, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act, 2026 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
A statement today, June 26, by the Head of Corporate Communications of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Kayode Adegoke, said the signing of the new Act marks a transformative milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards a secure, inclusive and digitally empowered nation.
He said that the new Act, which replaced the NIMC Act of 2007, has a defining feature which designates NIMC as the Root Certification Authority for Nigeria’s National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
He said that the new Act establishes the Commission as the nation’s trusted authority responsible for underpinning secure digital identity, authentication and electronic trust services across government and private-sector digital platforms.
“The Act further empowers NIMC to ensure secure, interoperable and seamless data exchange among all public and private entities, laying the legal and institutional foundation for a trusted digital economy.
“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 capable of driving innovation, economic growth and Nigeria’s aspiration of becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy.
Kayode Adegoke recalled that nearly two decades after the 2007 Act laid the foundation for Nigeria’s National Identity System, the global digital landscape has changed dramatically.
He said that the rapid expansion of digital services, e-governance, electronic commerce, data protection requirements and evolving cybersecurity threats created an urgent need for a more robust and contemporary legal framework.
“The NIMC Act 2026 responds to these realities by modernising Nigeria’s identity management framework, strengthening digital trust, protecting citizens’ personal data, enhancing cybersecurity and positioning the country to fully harness the opportunities presented by the global digital economy.
“The Act strengthens NIMC’s role as the statutory authority responsible for the national identity management system in Nigeria. It firmly establishes the National Identification Number (NIN) as the country’s foundational identity credential, reinforces the principle of “One Person, One Identity,” and enables seamless identity verification and authentication across government and private-sector platforms.
“Importantly, the Act positions NIMC at the centre of Nigeria’s digital trust architecture by assigning it strategic responsibility for the National Public.
“Major highlights of the Act include:
Robust Data Protection and Privacy: Introduces 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 Act designates NIMC as the Root Certification Authority for Nigeria’s National Public Key Infrastructure and Digital Public Infrastructure, establishing the Commission as the nation’s trusted authority responsible for secure digital identity, authentication and electronic trust services. It empowers NIMC to establish, manage and maintain the National Public Key Infrastructure and Digital Public Infrastructure, providing trusted authentication, encryption, digital signatures, digital certificates and identity verification frameworks that strengthen confidence in digital transactions and online services across government and private-sector platforms.
“The Act empowers NIMC to ensure secure, interoperable and seamless data exchange among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), private organisations and other authorised entities. This will enable trusted digital interactions, improve service delivery, strengthen cybersecurity and provide the secure digital backbone required for Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure and digital economy.
“Positions the NIMC General Multipurpose Card as a versatile identity credential for nationwide identity verification under the theme: “One Card, Multiple Possibilities.”
