BREAKING: President Tinubu Signs NIMC Act 2026 Into Law, Major Changes Ahead

I have 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.

This new Act gives our country a modern, secure, inclusive and digital identity framework fit for the Nigeria we are building; a Nigeria on the path to becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy.

With this law, NIMC is now positioned at the heart of Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure and National Public Key Infrastructure, providing the trust foundation for verified identities, secure transactions, digital signatures and the wider digital economy.

The Act also strengthens the protection of citizens’ data. Personal information cannot be accessed carelessly, used outside its original purpose, or treated without regard for consent and due legal process. The privacy of Nigerians must be protected, and this law makes that clear.

Your National Identification Number will now serve as a stronger gateway to critical services, including passports, voter registration, bank accounts, land transactions, telecommunications, pensions, insurance, tax payments, consumer credit and government services.

One person. One identity. One number.

I gave specific instructions that this law must also protect the vulnerable, the underserved, and Nigerians in the Diaspora. No Nigerian should be locked out of opportunity because they lack a trusted identity.

The Act strengthens governance, expands representation on the NIMC Board, improves accountability, and introduces tougher penalties for identity theft, multiple registration, unauthorised access and abuse of the system.

We will not tolerate those who forge identities, steal the identities of others, or exploit the system.

I commend the National Assembly, the Honourable Minister of Interior, NIMC, our development partners, and all Nigerians whose support helped deliver this landmark legislation.

Together, we are building a more secure, inclusive and prosperous Nigeria.

This is the Renewed Hope Agenda at work.

Bola Ahmed TINUBU

President