Tinubu signs NIMC Act 2026 into law; minister cites integrated database as aid in arresting terror suspects

ABUJA — On Friday, President Bola Tinubu signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law. The Federal Government said the act will reinforce Nigeria’s identity management system, boost national security, improve public service delivery, and speed up the country’s digital transformation.

The signing ceremony took place at the State House, Abuja, in the presence of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji‑Ojo, World Bank representative Taimur Samad, and Director‑General of NIMC, Abisoye Coker‑Odusote.

After the signing, the Minister of Interior said the new law marks a major milestone in the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms of Nigeria’s identity management architecture.

Tunji‑Ojo added that the legislation would strengthen inter‑agency collaboration, improve the integrity of the National Identification Number (NIN) system, and enhance Nigeria’s capacity to combat terrorism, identity theft, financial crimes and other security threats.

He noted that integrating the NIMC database with other government identity platforms had already produced security gains, such as the recent arrest of suspected terrorists.

According to him, seven suspected commanders of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were arrested last week at Katsina Airport while returning from the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

“We inherited a fractured system. But I’m happy to tell you that even last week, seven known commanders of Boko Haram and ISWAP, at the point of returning from Mecca, were arrested at Katsina Airport and handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS),” he said.

Tunji‑Ojo said the arrests