New NIMC Act Enhances Nigeria's Digital Identity Framework

On [date not specified], President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the new National Identity Management Commission Act into law, replacing the previous legal framework from 2007. This comprehensive modernization aims to adapt Nigeria's identity management to current digital realities.

The Act expands the Commission's objectives to include digital identity, accessibility, and stronger data protection, recognizing identity as a strategic national asset. A key innovation is the designation of the National Identity Management Commission as Nigeria’s Root Certification Authority for the National Public Key Infrastructure, which facilitates secure digital authentication and online transactions.

The Act also reinforces the National Identification Number under the principle of One Person, One Identity, positioning the Commission centrally within Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure, which is essential for secure identity verification and reliable data exchange.