Tinubu Signs New NIMC Act as Minister Says Seven Terror Suspects Arrested Using Identity Database
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law, a move the Federal Government says will strengthen national security, improve public service delivery, and accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation.
The signing ceremony took place on Friday at the State House in Abuja, with top government officials, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and NIMC Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote, in attendance.
Speaking after the signing, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo described the new law as a major step in reforming Nigeria’s identity management system. He disclosed that the integration of the NIMC database with immigration records recently led to the arrest of seven suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders at Katsina Airport as they returned from the Hajj pilgrimage.
According to the minister, the suspects were identified through the harmonised identity system, which now links NIMC, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and Interpol’s global database, improving border security and intelligence sharing.
Tunji-Ojo noted that the reforms have eliminated the previously fragmented identity system, making it impossible to obtain a Nigerian passport without verification through the National Identity Number (NIN) database.
He added that the new Act would further harmonise identity databases, strengthen the integrity of the NIN system, improve inter-agency collaboration, and boost Nigeria’s ability to combat terrorism, identity theft, and financial crimes.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu hailed the legislation as a landmark reform that modernises Nigeria’s identity management framework and supports the Tinubu administration’s digital transformation agenda.
NIMC Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote said the new law replaces the outdated 2007 legal framework and provides a modern foundation for a trusted, secure, and inclusive digital identity system capable of supporting both government and private-sector services.
