Nigeria's new identity law turns NIMC into the country's digital trust authority

As Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), points out, the newly signed National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act, 2026, is a turning point for Nigeria's identity management system. Gone are the days of relying on the General Multi-Purpose Card (GMPC), a physical identity card that struggled to keep up with the country's growing demand for digital services. The new law puts NIMC at the forefront of Nigeria's digital journey, making it the country's digital trust authority.

For nearly two decades, the National Identity Number (NIN) has been used primarily as a means of verifying identity for services like opening bank accounts and accessing government programmes. The new law fundamentally changes that. It introduces digital identity as a statutory objective, aligning Nigeria's law with international frameworks like the World Bank's Identification for Development (ID4D) initiative. This means that the NIN will no longer be just a number; it will be a digital identity that secures sensitive personal data and protects online transactions.

The new law gives NIMC legal responsibility for securing digital identities, protecting sensitive personal data, managing the country's Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), and providing legal support for Nigeria's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). DPI is the digital backbone that enables secure digital transactions among individuals, businesses, and government agencies. With the new law, NIMC will be responsible for ensuring that digital identities are trusted, secure, and scalable.

The benefits of a digital identity ecosystem are numerous. It makes it possible to open a bank account remotely, access government services, sign documents digitally, or transfer money securely within seconds. The new law also introduces the concept of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), which verifies identities, encrypts data, and protects online transactions. This means that Nigerians can now enjoy the benefits of a digital economy without compromising their security.

The old NIMC law was passed in 2007, and since then, the country's identity management system has evolved significantly. The new law is a major overhaul, but it remains to be seen if it will be enough to address the challenges that have plagued Nigeria's identity system in the past.## A Forward-Looking Framework The new law establishes a modern, forward-looking legal framework that aligns Nigeria's identity ecosystem with global best practices, emerging technologies, and the demands of a rapidly evolving digital economy. This means that Nigeria's identity management system will be able to adapt to the changing needs of its citizens and businesses. As Kayode Adegoke notes, "The inclusion of digital identity as a statutory objective aligns Nigerian law with international frameworks such as the World Bank's Identification for Development (ID4D) initiative and the Principles on Identification for Sustainable Development."

As Nigeria continues to evolve into a digital economy, the new identity law will play a critical role in shaping the country's digital journey. It is a major step towards creating a trusted digital identity ecosystem that will enable secure digital transactions, protect sensitive personal data, and provide a foundation for a rapidly evolving digital economy. With NIMC at the forefront, Nigeria is poised to become a leader in digital identity management.

The new law gives NIMC the mandate to manage the country's Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and provide legal support for Nigeria's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). This means that NIMC will be responsible for ensuring that digital identities are trusted, secure, and scalable. The digital trust authority is taking shape, and it will be interesting to see how NIMC will implement this new mandate.

As Nigeria's digital journey continues to evolve, one thing is certain: the new identity law will play a critical role in shaping the country's digital future. With NIMC at the forefront, Nigeria is poised to become a leader in digital identity management. The future of identity in Nigeria is digital, and it's exciting to see what's in store.