Tinubu signs NIMC Act 2026 into law

President Tinubu has enacted into law the revised National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act of 2026, following its repeal and re‑enactment.

The signing ceremony was held at the Presidential Villa, attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and several other government officials.

The updated Act grants NIMC the authority to harmonise identity records, synchronize government databases, and enhance interoperability across public institutions.

During a post‑ceremony press briefing, Akpabio highlighted that the integration of the NIMC database with the Ministry of Interior’s digital platforms has recently allowed security agencies to identify and detain suspected terrorist operatives as they arrive in Nigeria.

“Just last week, we were able to apprehend terrorist chiefs who were coming in from Saudi Arabia, in Katsina, of all places. When they landed, they just put their names on the computer; it revealed that these were criminals, and they arrested them,” he said.