Mairo Pottery Center Ushafa

21/07/2026

01/07/2026

*Nigeria’s Digital Identity Revolution: The NIMC Act 2026*

For nearly two decades, Nigeria’s identity management system operated under an outdated legal framework that could no longer support the demands of a modern, digital economy.

The signing of the NIMC Act 2026 marks a historic turning point. It establishes a robust, forward-looking legal foundation for a secure, inclusive, and digitally empowered Nigeria.

The Act empowers the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) as the Root Certification Authority and Issuing Authority for Nigeria’s National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). This strategic mandate creates a trusted foundation for verified digital identities, digital signatures, and reliable electronic trust services across the country.

With this framework, Nigeria now has the infrastructure to enable secure, interoperable, and seamless data exchange between all public and private sector entities. The National PKI will facilitate strong authentication, digital signatures, and trusted digital transactions — significantly improving the ease of doing business and the efficiency of public service delivery.

Beyond technology, the NIMC Act 2026 fundamentally transforms how Digital Public Infrastructure will be deployed and governed in Nigeria. It places strong emphasis on data protection and citizen privacy: personal information can only be accessed with the explicit consent of the data owner, setting a new standard for responsible digital governance.

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7q5lk0lwgieJhsUs3a

www.nimc.gov.ng

24/06/2026