Nigeria has taken a major step towards streamlining its national identity framework after President Bola Tinubu signed a new law strengthening the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
Under the new legislation, key identification documents—including driver’s licences, student identity cards, National Identity Numbers (NIN), Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), ATM cards, international passports and other official credentials—will be linked to a single national identity while continuing to serve their individual functions.
The reform is aimed at creating a more integrated and efficient identity management system, reducing duplication across government databases, improving service delivery and strengthening security.
The new NIMC Act is being widely viewed as one of the administration’s most significant institutional reforms, with supporters arguing that a unified identity ecosystem could simplify access to public services, enhance financial inclusion and improve governance.
