Tinubu Signs NIMC Act to Boost Security and Services

On Friday, President Bola Tinubu signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act into law at the State House in Abuja. The signing was attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House Benjamin Kalu, House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, and Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, among others.

Minister Tunji Ojo described the act as a landmark achievement amidst ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening internal security and improving access to government services. He revealed that the NIMC database has already facilitated the arrest of terrorists, including seven known Boko Haram and ISWAP members at Katsina Airport.

The new law is expected to harmonize identity databases, enhance the National Identification Number (NIN) system, and improve inter-agency collaboration to combat identity theft and financial crimes. The act establishes a modern legal framework to support Nigeria's digital public infrastructure and ensure seamless access to government and private sector services.