The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has commenced strategic engagements with key government institutions as part of efforts to ensure effective implementation of the National Identity Management Commission Act, 2026, recently signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The engagements began with meetings involving the Ministry of Budget and National Planning and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, aimed at identifying operational requirements, institutional responsibilities, and areas of collaboration necessary for the successful rollout of the new legislation.
President Tinubu signed the NIMC Act 2026 into law on June 26, marking a major reform in Nigeria’s digital identity framework. The new Act repeals the previous NIMC Act of 2007, replacing it with a more comprehensive legal structure designed to strengthen identity management and support Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
Under the new legislation, NIMC is designated as Nigeria’s Root Certification Authority for Digital Public Infrastructure, giving the commission a central role in building trust and security within the country’s digital ecosystem.
The Act also reinforces the National Identification Number (NIN) as Nigeria’s foundational identity credential, guided by the principle of “one person, one identity.” The framework is expected to improve identity verification, reduce fraud, and enhance access to government services and private sector platforms.
A key feature of the new law is the introduction of stronger penalties for identity-related offences. Corporate organisations found guilty of identity fraud may face fines of up to ₦20 million, while individuals involved in identity fraud risk a minimum jail term of five years.
Speaking on the significance of the legislation, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, described the Act as a transformative milestone that would strengthen Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem and improve national development planning.
Bagudu noted that a reliable identity system would provide better data for policy formulation, resource allocation, and effective delivery of government programmes.
NIMC’s ongoing consultations with government institutions are expected to facilitate a coordinated approach among stakeholders, ensuring that the provisions of the new Act are properly implemented for improved governance, security, and digital inclusion across Nigeria.
