*The Nigerian Government discloses a cabinet minister noted the arrest of terrorists with the database of the National Identity Management Commission, affirming the signing of NIMC Act 2026 as a significant milestone towards modernising identity management, enhancing national security, improving public service delivery, and deepening its burgeoning digital economy
Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Friday, June 26, 2026, signed the 2026 National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act into law.
ConsumerConnect reports the Nigerian Government said the move marked a significant milestone in the country’s efforts at modernising identity (ID) management, enhance national security, improve public service delivery, and deepen the nation’s digital economy.
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Tinubu signed the NIMC Act 2026 into the State House, Abuja, FCT, in the presence of the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, and the House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere.
Likewise, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; the representative of the World Bank, Taimur Samad; and the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, witnessed the signing of the regulatory instrument.
Speaking at the event in Abuja, Dr. Tunji-Ojo, Honourable Minister for Interior, described the signing of the NIMC Act as a landmark achievement amid ongoing reforms to strengthen internal security, and improve access to government services in Nigeria.
The Minister noted the existing network of databases was used in the arrest of some terrorists returning to Nigeria from the Holy Pilgrimage last week.
Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Friday also stated Tunji-Ojo said of the event: “Let me sincerely thank Mr President.
“The last time we had a NIMC programme, I referred to Mr President as the Grand Innovator of the Federal Republic.
“I wasn’t kidding. With this law, our security architecture can be enhanced.”
He also stated: “When Mr President came on board, we had a disconnected system within our identity data management system. “At that time, getting a passport and getting a driving permit were completely disconnected from our identity database.
“But today, you can’t get a Nigerian passport without pulling data from NIMC.”
Tunji-Ojo explained the new law would accelerate the harmonisation of identity databases, enhance the integrity of the National Identity Number (NIN) system, improve inter-agency collaboration, and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to combat identity theft, terrorism, financial crimes and other security threats.
He further noted: “What you have in immigration is what you have in the NIMC database, and let me say this clearly, that it has even helped our border control process.
“I know, sometime ago, the Senate President was alarmed by how some terrorists went on pilgrimage, wondering how they crossed our borders.”
Going down the memory lane, the Minister recalled: “We inherited a fractured system.
“But I’m happy to tell you that even last week, Thursday, seven of the known commanders of Boko Haram and ISWAP at the point of coming back from Mecca were arrested in Katsina at the airport and were handed over to the DSS.”
He said: “This is only possible because NIMC’s ID is already connected with the Immigration (Service) database, and it’s already speaking to even the Interpol 24/7, and we have been able to automate this.”
The statement indicated Senate President Akpabio welcomed the presidential assent.
He said the Act reflected the National Assembly’s commitment to enacting laws that address Nigeria’s evolving security and developmental needs.
The Senate President expressed confidence that the legislation would strengthen public confidence in the country’s identity management architecture.
Akpabio particularly attributed the new NIMC law to President Tinubu’s innovation and reform agenda in the National Identity Management System.
According to Akpabio, the new legislation aligns with the President`s promise to transform Nigeria during his tenure.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, commended the President for assenting to the new NIMC law, describing it as a transformative reform that will improve governance, promote accountability and support national development through a credible identity management system.
Hon. Kalu said: “The world is aware that the NIMC Act of 2007 was obsolete, and they have been monitoring that an effort was being made towards retooling, redefining, and re-equipping that piece of legislation to become what is fit for purpose, considering our current realities, and they were waiting to hear from us when it is going to become an instrument that we will use in building our nation.
“Mr President, today marks a historic milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation.”
The top Federal lawmaker affirmed the initiative reflected the Federal Government’s bold commitment to building a robust, trusted and inclusive identity ecosystem.
According to him, the ID initiative is something that the President has taken seriously, and also to better the lot of Nigerians.
In her remarks, Dr. Coker-Odusote, Director-General of NIMC, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to implementing the provisions of the Act in collaboration with relevant government institutions, development partners and the private sector to deliver a world-class digital identity system.
The Director-General described the new law as a major boost to the Commission’s mandate.
She asserted: “Mr. President, your visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to digital transformation have, once again, positioned Nigeria for a future driven by innovation, trust and inclusion.
“This landmark legislation is not just an amendment to an existing law; it is a bold leap into the future.”
Coker-Odusote also said: “For 19 years, the legal framework governing Nigeria’s identity management system remained unchanged while the digital landscape evolved rapidly.
“Today, that gap has been closed. The NIMC Act 2026 establishes a modern legal framework that further strengthens Nigeria’s digital public infrastructure, laying the foundation for trusted identity and seamless access to government and private-sector services.”
The NIMC Chief Executive explained the move has reinforced the National Identification Number as the cornerstone of identity verification and authentication nationwide.
Coker-Odusote added: “The Act also introduces critical innovations that respond to the realities of today’s digital world.”