President Bola Tinubu has signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law, making the National Identification Number (NIN) mandatory for key public and financial services.
President Tinubu signed the NIMC Act 2026 on Friday, noting that for nearly 20 years, Nigeria’s identity system had operated under a law written for a different era.
“That era is over,” he said, explaining that the new Act provides Nigeria with a modern, secure, and digital identity framework suitable for the nation his administration is building as it works towards becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy.
The President stated that the law designates NIMC as the Root Certification Authority for Nigeria’s National Public Key Infrastructure and Digital Public Infrastructure.
“With this, NIMC now holds the keys to trust in our digital economy: every digital signature, every secure transaction, and every verified identity. This is how serious nations build digital economies, and we are building one for Nigeria. I will not allow the data of Nigerians to be treated carelessly,” he remarked.
Tinubu explained that the Act aligns Nigeria’s identity system with the Nigerian Data Protection Act.
Citing the Act, he noted that personal information cannot be accessed without consent or used beyond the purpose for which it was provided.
He added that any access must go through proper legal channels, describing privacy as the right of every Nigerian and saying the law safeguards that right.
“Your National Identification Number will now be required for passports, voter registration, bank accounts, land transactions, telecoms, pensions, insurance, tax payments, consumer credit, and all government services. One person. One identity. One number,” he declared.
According to him, the NIMC Act 2026 also introduces the General Multipurpose Card, which he described as “one card, multiple possibilities.”
“A single, versatile identity credential for verification across every sector of our national life. I gave specific instructions that this law must protect the most vulnerable among us. I’m proud to say that it does.”
President Tinubu further stated that the Act creates an identification system for vulnerable persons, including those without permanent residences, and mandates special measures to bring underserved Nigerians into the national identity system.
He mentioned that the Act expands financial and social inclusion by connecting every Nigerian to the digital economy through a trusted digital identity.
“And for our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora, this Act guarantees wider, easier, and more convenient access to identity services wherever you are in the world. You are not forgotten. You are part of this Nigeria.”
To strengthen governance, the President declared that the Act reconstitutes NIMC’s Governing Board with representatives from 14 key government agencies, including INEC, NHIS, FRSC, NRS, PenCom, the Nigeria Police Force, NIS, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the National Population Commission, CBN, DSS, EFCC, the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Corporate Affairs Commission.
Tinubu disclosed that the Chairman must have at least 15 years of cognate experience, while Commissioners must each have at least 10 years.
“And for the first time, the Chairman and five Commissioners must each represent one of our six geo-political zones. This is accountability, federal character, and how we govern,” he said.
“And for those who think they can exploit the system, those who forge identities, register multiple times, or steal the identities of others, hear me clearly. Penalties have been increased by up to 100 times. Fines of up to ₦20 million for corporate bodies. Minimum five years’ imprisonment for unauthorised access, multiple registration, and impersonation.”
He announced that the Commission now has court-authorised powers to investigate offences, conduct searches, seize evidence, decrypt data, and arrest offenders, stressing that such offences would not be tolerated.
Tinubu commended the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Joint Committee on Identity and National Population Commission, and members of the National Assembly for their invaluable contributions to the passage of what he described as a landmark piece of legislation.
He also acknowledged the Minister of the Interior, development partners, including Identity for Development (ID4D), the management and staff of NIMC, and all Nigerians for their support in making the “historic achievement” possible.
