BY NGOZI ONYEAKUSI

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has officially unveiled its new enabling legislation, the NIMC Act 2026, which introduces an expanded mandate that transforms the Commission from a conventional identity management agency into a more inclusive and comprehensive National Trust Authority for Nigeria.

The new Act, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on June 26, 2026, repeals and replaces the NIMC Act 2007, which had governed Nigeria’s identity management system for 19 years.

The Commission said the new legislation became necessary because of rapid technological developments, emerging security threats and increasing demands for data privacy, which have significantly changed the country’s digital identity landscape.

A major feature of the NIMC Act 2026 is the strengthening of the Commission’s role as Nigeria’s foundational identity and data exchange agency, while also giving it broader responsibilities within the country’s digital public infrastructure.

Speaking to members of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) in Lagos on Friday, August 28, 2026, during a roundtable workshop themed, “The New NIMC Act: Building Trust, Enabling Services, Transforming Nigeria,” the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Engr. Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said the new legislation represents a major turning point for the country’s identity ecosystem.
Coker-Odusote, who was represented at the event by the Director in charge of SERVICOM at the Commission, Mrs. Florence Oloruntade, explained that the NIMC Act 2007 established the Commission and provided its initial legal mandate.

“But the Nigeria of 2026 is not the Nigeria of 2007, because there have been rapid technological shifts, evolving security threats, and growing demands for data privacy, which have rendered the legacy law, NIMC Act 2007, obsolete,” she said.

According to her, the new Act followed extensive consultations involving civil society organisations, telecommunications operators, financial institutions, the World Bank-supported Identification for Development (ID4D) project and the National Assembly.

She said President Tinubu’s assent to the legislation on June 26, 2026, repealed the 2007 Act and established NIMC as the country’s central authority for digital public infrastructure.

Also speaking at the workshop, the Director of Research and Strategy at NIMC, Dr. Alvan Ikoku Jnr., took media practitioners through the major provisions of the new legislation.
Ikoku described the responsibility of overseeing Nigeria’s Digital Trust Infrastructure as huge and sensitive, noting that it provides the backbone for effective identity management and digital services.

He said the new law had moved NIMC beyond its traditional identity management role to that of a National Trust Authority, while also giving the Commission the mandate to serve as Nigeria’s Rule Certification Authority.

“In addition to transforming the Commission from a mere identity management agency to a National Trust Authority, the new legislation further saddles the Commission with the mandate of being Nigeria’s Rule Certification Authority,” he said.

According to him, Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure rests on three major pillars: digital identity management, payment systems and trust, and data exchange.
He expressed confidence that the new legislation would enhance enforcement and empower NIMC to effectively discharge its statutory responsibilities.

Addressing concerns over the possible challenges associated with the Commission’s expanded mandate, particularly funding and human capital, Ikoku said NIMC had already developed a roadmap for 2026–2031 to guide the implementation of its new responsibilities.

He disclosed that the National Identification Number (NIN) database had reached approximately 140 million, with a significant proportion of the enrolment achieved between 2025 and 2026.

He added that the Commission had also significantly reduced the time required for NIN enrolment, from about seven days to approximately one hour.

According to him, the development reflects the Commission’s efforts to improve efficiency and make identity services more accessible to Nigerians.

On service delivery, Oloruntade disclosed that NIMC had procured new systems and equipment, including laptops, for its staff and some front-end partners to improve operational efficiency and speed up service delivery.

She also said the Commission was implementing various training and capacity-building programmes to equip its personnel with the skills required to operate effectively under the new legal framework.
She added that efforts were also underway to improve staff welfare, noting that the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission had approved a 25 per cent increase in salaries and other emoluments.

The NIMC management, she said, remains committed to ensuring that the expanded mandate of the Commission translates into improved identity services, stronger digital trust and more efficient public and private sector services for Nigerians.