Tinubu Signs NIMC Act 2026 marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation and national security strategy as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu officially assented to the new National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026.
The signing ceremony took place on Friday at the State House in Abuja and was attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Prince Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, NIMC Director-General Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, World Bank representative Taimur Samad and other senior government officials.
The Tinubu Signs NIMC Act 2026 initiative is expected to modernise Nigeria’s identity management system, improve national security, strengthen public service delivery and deepen the country’s digital economy.
Speaking after the signing, Interior Minister Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo described the legislation as a landmark reform that will transform Nigeria’s security architecture through a fully integrated national identity system.
According to the minister, the harmonisation of identity databases has already produced significant security gains.
He disclosed that security agencies recently arrested seven known Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders who attempted to return to Nigeria after participating in the holy pilgrimage in Mecca.
Tunji-Ojo explained that the suspects were intercepted at Katsina Airport because Nigeria’s immigration database is now integrated with the National Identity Management Commission database and connected to Interpol’s global security network.
He noted that before President Tinubu assumed office, critical government databases operated independently, making identity verification more difficult and weakening national security.
The minister added that under the new system, Nigerian passports, immigration records and other identity documents now rely directly on verified National Identity Number (NIN) information, making identity fraud far more difficult.
The Tinubu Signs NIMC Act 2026 reform will also accelerate the harmonisation of government identity databases, improve collaboration among security agencies and strengthen efforts to combat terrorism, financial crimes and identity theft.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, welcomed the presidential assent, describing the legislation as another major reform under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the National Assembly enacted the law to address Nigeria’s evolving security and developmental challenges while strengthening public confidence in the country’s identity management system.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu also praised the President for signing the bill into law, noting that the previous NIMC Act of 2007 had become outdated in an increasingly digital world.
According to Kalu, the new legislation establishes a modern legal framework capable of supporting trusted digital identity, accountability and improved governance across Nigeria.
Director-General of NIMC, Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, described the new Act as a transformative piece of legislation that will strengthen Nigeria’s digital public infrastructure and reinforce the National Identification Number as the country’s primary identity verification system.
She said the Commission would work closely with government institutions, development partners and the private sector to implement the provisions of the new law effectively.
The DG noted that the legislation introduces innovations designed to improve digital identity management, increase inclusion and expand access to both government and private-sector services.
Analysts believe the Tinubu Signs NIMC Act 2026 initiative will significantly improve security intelligence, reduce identity-related crimes, enhance financial inclusion and support Nigeria’s transition into a fully digital economy.
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The new law is also expected to strengthen service delivery across immigration, banking, telecommunications, healthcare, education and other sectors that depend on secure identity verification.
With the signing of the NIMC Act 2026, the Federal Government has taken another significant step towards building a secure, technology-driven identity ecosystem capable of supporting national development, economic growth and improved governance under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
