NIMC Enrols 136 Million as New Identity Law Takes Effect

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced that more than 136 million Nigerians and legal residents have been enrolled into the National Identity Database (NIDB), as implementation of the newly enacted NIMC Act 2026 begins.

The milestone was disclosed by the Director-General of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, during a courtesy visit to the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning as part of stakeholder engagements on the implementation of the new law.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by NIMC’s Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, the new Act repeals and replaces the 2007 legislation, introducing a modern legal framework for Nigeria’s digital identity system.

The law positions the National Identification Number (NIN) as the country’s foundational identity under the “one person, one identity” policy, while designating NIMC as the root certificate authority for Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.

It also introduces stronger data protection, cybersecurity safeguards and digital identity credentials to support secure digital services.

Speaking during the visit, Coker-Odusote reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to enrolling all Nigerians and legal residents and issuing them National Identification Numbers within the shortest possible time.

She said the commission was ready to collaborate with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to deepen the use of the NIN in economic planning and national development.

The NIMC boss also commended the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, for supporting the passage of the legislation in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Bagudu described the NIMC Act 2026 as a major step towardsimproving strengthening Nigeria’s digital identity system and national planning.

He praised the commission’s leadership for driving the passage of what he described as landmark legislation, saying it provides a strong legal foundation for a secure, trusted and inclusive identity management system.

“The National Identification Number (NIN) should serve as Nigeria’s single, universally accepted identity standard, supporting efficient service delivery and good governance,” the minister said.

Bagudu, however, stressed that the success of the new law would depend on its effective implementation and the tangible benefits delivered to citizens.

He called for stronger collaboration among the federal, state and local governments to build public confidence in the national identity system and eliminate the duplication of identity databases across government institutions.

The latest enrolment figure represents another increase in the National Identity Database as the Federal Government continues efforts to expand digital identity coverage and integrate the NIN into public service delivery, financial inclusion and economic planning.