Nigeria has taken a major step toward building a unified digital identity system with the amendment of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act.
President Bola Tinubu signed the new law on June 26, replacing the 2007 Act with a broader legal framework. The legislation expands the commission’s powers, strengthens digital identity management and introduces tougher penalties for identity-related offences. However, its success will depend on effective implementation and adequate safeguards.
Stronger identity management
The amended Act names the NIMC as Nigeria’s Root Certification Authority for the National Public Key Infrastructure and Digital Public Infrastructure.
In that role, the commission will manage electronic signatures, authentication systems and digital trust services. These functions provide the legal foundation for secure digital transactions across the country.
The law also makes the National Identity Number (NIN) compulsory across 14 major sectors. These include banking, passport issuance, voter registration, pensions, taxation, land transactions and business registration.
By bringing fragmented identity databases together, the reforms aim to simplify identity verification, eliminate duplicate registrations and improve service delivery. They could also support Nigeria’s drive to improve the ease of doing business by reducing bureaucratic delays.
Better data protection
The amended law aligns the NIMC with the Nigeria Data Protection Act. As a result, organisations must obtain citizens’ consent before accessing or processing personal information. The provision is expected to reduce identity theft, online fraud and unauthorised access to sensitive data.
The legislation also introduces stricter penalties for identity-related offences. Identity theft, multiple registrations and illegal access to personal data now attract corporate fines of up to N20 million and prison terms of at least five years.
Even so, those penalties will only discourage offenders if authorities enforce them consistently.
Privacy concerns persist
Despite the expected benefits, the amended Act gives the NIMC wider powers to exchange data with government agencies, private organisations and international security networks. Those powers could strengthen border security, improve counter-terrorism efforts and help tackle transnational crime.
However, they also raise concerns about privacy and surveillance. Without stronger safeguards, officials could misuse the expanded powers or violate citizens’ constitutional right to privacy. For that reason, lawmakers may still need to strengthen oversight and close existing legal loopholes.
Implementation remains critical
The effectiveness of the amended Act will depend largely on the NIMC’s capacity to manage a much larger digital identity system. Making the NIN compulsory for many essential services will place greater pressure on the commission’s infrastructure.
Its servers, databases and telecommunications networks must cope with the increased demand. Unless the government upgrades those systems, Nigerians could experience delays while accessing banking services, telecommunications, credit facilities and other public services.
Consequently, public confidence will depend on reliable technology, strong cybersecurity and institutional accountability.
Transparency will determine success
Nigeria needs a secure and integrated national identity database to support governance and economic development. At the same time, authorities must protect the system from political interference, illegal access and institutional abuse.
Unlike Nigeria, the United Kingdom abolished its National Identity Register under the Identity Documents Act 2010. Citizens now rely on voluntary identity documents such as passports, driver’s licences and birth certificates.
Nigeria has adopted a different approach. Therefore, transparency, accountability and respect for civil liberties must guide implementation. As preparations for the 2027 general elections continue, authorities must ensure that the expanded powers under the amended NIMC Act are never used for political purposes.
The law also gives agencies such as the Independent National Electoral Commission stronger legal backing to investigate identity-related offences. They must enforce those powers fairly, consistently and without fear or favour.
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