Bola Tinubu, president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law.
This marks a major turning point in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey, moving the country closer to a unified, secure, and technology-driven identity ecosystem.
The new law strengthens the legal foundation of Nigeria’s digital identity programme and positions the National Identification Number (NIN) as a central pillar for accessing services, conducting transactions, and participating in the digital economy.
For a country with more than 200 million people and a long history of fragmented identity systems, the reform could reshape how Nigerians interact with government, banks, businesses, and digital platforms.
From paper identity to digital trust
For decades, Nigeria has struggled with multiple and disconnected identity systems. Citizens often rely on different forms of identification, including passports, voter cards, driver’s licences, bank verification numbers (BVN), and other records, creating duplication, inefficiencies,
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