President Tinubu signs NIMC Act 2026 into law, strengthening digital identity framework and imposing stricter penalties for identity fraud

President Bola Tinubu has signed the National Identity Management Commission Act 2026 into law, replacing a nearly 20-year-old framework with a modern digital identity infrastructure. The new legislation aims to support Nigeria's ambition to become a $1 trillion economy by positioning NIMC as the Root Certification Authority for Nigeria’s National Public Key Infrastructure and Digital Public Infrastructure. The Act strengthens the protection of Nigerians’ personal data by aligning with the Nigerian Data Protection Act, ensuring personal information cannot be accessed without consent or used beyond its intended purpose. The National Identification Number NIN will now be required for various transactions, including passport applications, voter registration, and banking, and the Act introduces a General Multipurpose Card. Special measures are included to enroll vulnerable and underserved Nigerians, including those without permanent residences, and to provide easier access to identity services for Nigerians in the Diaspora. The legislation also reconstitutes NIMC’s Governing Board with representatives from 14 key government agencies. It introduces stiffer penalties for identity fraud and related offenses, with fines up to ₦20 million for corporate bodies and a minimum of five years’ imprisonment for unauthorized access, multiple registration, and impersonation. NIMC now has court-authorized powers to investigate offenses, conduct searches, seize evidence, decrypt data, and arrest