President Bola Tinubu officially signed the NIMC Act 2026 into law during a ceremony at the State House in Abuja. This legislation is designed to modernize Nigeria’s identity management, bolster national security, and streamline government services. High-ranking officials, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, attended the event.
Minister Tunji-Ojo highlighted that the new law fixes a previously fragmented system, enhancing inter-agency cooperation. He noted that integrating the National Identity Management Commission database with immigration and international law enforcement networks has already proven effective. As a direct result, seven suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders were recently apprehended at Katsina Airport upon their return from a pilgrimage.
The Minister explained that these arrests were facilitated by 24-hour interfaces between the NIMC, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and Interpol systems. He emphasized that obtaining a passport now requires mandatory verification through the NIMC database, a significant change from the disconnected processes of the past.
Legislative leaders, including Senate President Akpabio and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, praised the Act for replacing the outdated 2007 framework. They stated that this move supports Nigeria’s digital transformation, promotes accountability, and strengthens the governance framework. NIMC Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote added that the new law establishes a modern legal foundation for digital identity, making the National Identification Number the primary tool for authentication across all sectors.
