Tinubu signs NIMC Act 2026 into law, minister says integrated database helped arrest terror suspects

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ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu on Friday signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law, a move the Federal Government said will strengthen Nigeria’s identity management system, enhance national security, improve public service delivery and accelerate the country’s digital transformation.

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The signing ceremony took place at the State House, Abuja, in the presence of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, World Bank representative Taimur Samad, and Director-General of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote.

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Speaking after the signing, the Minister of Interior described the new law as a major milestone in the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms of Nigeria’s identity management architecture.

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Tunji-Ojo said the legislation would strengthen inter-agency collaboration, improve the integrity of the National Identification Number (NIN) system, and enhance the country’s ability to combat terrorism, identity theft, financial crimes and other security threats.

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He disclosed that the integration of the NIMC database with other government identity platforms had already yielded security gains, including the recent arrest of suspected terrorists.

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According to him, seven suspected commanders of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were arrested last week at Katsina Airport while returning from the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

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“We inherited a fractured system. But I’m happy to tell you that even last week, seven known commanders of Boko Haram and ISWAP, at the point of returning from Mecca, were arrested at Katsina Airport and handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS),” he said.

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Tunji-Ojo attributed the arrests to the integration of NIMC’s identity database with the Nigeria Immigration Service and international law enforcement platforms.

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“This was possible because the NIMC database is now connected with the immigration database and also interfaces with Interpol’s systems on a 24-hour basis,” he added.

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The minister explained that before the reforms, government identity systems operated independently, making effective identity verification difficult.

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“When President Tinubu assumed office, we had disconnected identity management systems. Today, you cannot obtain a Nigerian passport without verification through the NIMC database,” he said.

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Senate President Akpabio described the presidential assent as another milestone in the administration’s reform agenda, saying the legislation reflected the National Assembly’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security and governance framework.

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He expressed confidence that the new law would improve public trust in the country’s identity management system while supporting the President’s broader transformation agenda.

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Also speaking, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu said the repeal and replacement of the 2007 NIMC Act would modernise Nigeria’s identity management framework in line with current technological realities.

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He noted that the legislation would promote accountability, strengthen governance and support national development through a credible and inclusive digital identity system.

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“The world has been waiting for Nigeria to modernise this legislation. Today’s signing marks a historic milestone in our digital transformation journey,” Kalu said.

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Director-General of NIMC, Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, described the Act as a significant boost to the commission’s mandate.

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She said the new law establishes a modern legal framework for Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem and reinforces the National Identification Number as the country’s primary means of identity verification and authentication.

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According to her, the legislation introduces key innovations designed to improve access to government and private sector services while strengthening Nigeria’s digital public infrastructure.

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She commended President Tinubu for providing the leadership that made the reform possible, describing the new Act as a major step toward building a trusted, secure and inclusive digital identity system for all Nigerians.

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