Tinubu signed the NIMC Act, as the minister revealed terrorist arrests through the NIMC database

President Bola Tinubu on Friday signed into law the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Bill 2026, described as an effort to modernize identity management, enhance national security, improve public service delivery and deepen the nation’s digital economy.

The signing took place at State House, Abuja, in the presence of Senate President Insha Allah Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, and Leader of the House of Representatives Julius Ihonvbere.

Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; World Bank representative, Taimur Samad; and the Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Dr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, witnessed the signing.

Minister of Home Affairs Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo described the signing of the Act as an important achievement amidst ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening internal security and increasing access to government services.

He revealed that the existing database network was used in the arrest of several terrorists who returned to Nigeria from the Holy Pilgrimage last week.

“Let me express my deepest gratitude to Mr President, the last time we held the NIMC program, I called Mr President the Great Innovator of the Federal Republic. I am not kidding. With this law, our security architecture can be improved.

“When Mr President joined, we had a disconnected system in our identity data management system. At that time, passport and driving permit applications were completely disconnected from our identity database. But currently, you cannot get a Nigerian passport without taking the data from NIMC,” said Tunji-Ojo.

According to the Minister, the new law will accelerate the harmonization of identity databases, improve the integrity of the National Identification Number (NIN) system, enhance collaboration between agencies, and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to combat identity theft, terrorism, financial crimes and other security threats.

“What you have in the area of immigration is what you have in the NIMC database, and let me say this clearly, that this has even helped our border control process. I know, some time ago, the Senate President was shocked by how some terrorists went on Hajj, wondering how they crossed our borders. We inherited a fractured system. But I am happy to tell you that even last week, Thursday, seven known Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders when they returned from Mecca were arrested in Katsina at the airport and handed over to DSS.

“This can happen because the NIMC ID is connected to the immigration database, even communicates with Interpol 24/7, and we can automate it,” said the Minister of Finance.

Meanwhile, the Director General of NIMC reiterated the Commission’s commitment to implementing the provisions of the Law through collaboration with relevant government agencies, development partners and the private sector to realize a world-class digital identity system, and described the new law as a major boost to the Commission’s mandate.

“The NIMC Act of 2026 establishes a modern legal framework that further strengthens Nigeria’s digital public infrastructure, laying the foundation for trusted identity and seamless access to government and private sector services. This law strengthens the National Identification Number as the foundation of identity verification and authentication nationwide. This law also introduces important innovations that respond to the realities of today’s digital world,” he said.