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On June 26, 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law at the State House in Abuja. The signing ceremony was attended by senior government officials including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Attorney General Prince Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Interior Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and NIMC Director-General Dr Abisoye Coker-Odusote. The new Act modernises Nigeria's identity management framework, which had remained largely unchanged for 19 years. It aims to strengthen national security, improve public service delivery, enhance the integrity of the National Identification Number (NIN) system, and support digital economy development. The legislation establishes a modern legal framework for trusted digital identity and seamless access to government and private-sector services. Minister Tunji-Ojo highlighted that the NIMC database integration has already yielded security benefits, revealing that seven Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commanders were arrested at Katsina airport on June 19, 2026, upon returning from pilgrimage, as the NIMC system is now connected with immigration databases and Interpol systems. The Act accelerates harmonisation of identity databases across government agencies, enhances inter-agency collaboration, and strengthens Nigeria's capacity to combat identity theft, terrorism, and financial crimes. Previously, obtaining a Nigerian passport or driving permit operated independently from the NIMC database; the new framework integrates these systems. Senate President Akpabio noted the legislation reflects the National Assembly's commitment to addressing Nigeria's evolving security and developmental needs, while Deputy Speaker Kalu described it as a transformative reform supporting national development through credible identity management. Director-General Coker-Odusote committed NIMC to implementing the Act's provisions in collaboration with government institutions, development partners, and the private sector to deliver a world-class digital identity system. The Act is now in effect following presidential assent.