President Bola Tinubu on Friday signed the National Identity Management Commission Act 2026 into law, saying the legislation introduces stricter penalties for identity-related offences and establishes a comprehensive digital identity framework for all Nigerians.
The new legislation replaces a nearly 20-year-old framework with a modern, secure and fully digital identity infrastructure.
In a statement issued via his verified X account, Tinubu highlighted key provisions of the Act, noting that it would position Nigeria’s identity management system to support the country’s ambition to become a $1 trillion economy.
“I have today (Friday) signed the NIMC Act 2026 into law. For nearly twenty years, Nigeria’s identity system operated under a law written for a different era. That era is over,” Tinubu said.
According to him, the Act designates the National Identity Management Commission as the Root Certification Authority for Nigeria’s National Public Key Infrastructure and Digital Public Infrastructure.
