The Federal Government says it is pushing for full implementation of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026, with the National Identification Number (NIN) intended to serve as Nigeria’s single, recognised means of identification. The position is stated following a strategic meeting in Abuja between the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, and the NIMC Director-General, Dr Abisoye Odusote. Bagudu describes the legislation as a major reform to strengthen Nigeria’s digital identity system, improve governance and support evidence-based policymaking. He says the law provides a stronger legal basis for a secure, trusted and inclusive national identity system, but that success will depend on effective implementation. He calls for collaboration among federal, state and local governments to reduce or eliminate multiple identity databases and to build confidence in the national identity framework. Odusote explains that the new Act repeals the 2007 NIMC law, establishes the NIN as the foundational identifier under a “one person, one identity” approach, and includes provisions aimed at data protection and digital infrastructure, as well as safeguards related to privacy and cybersecurity as the digital identity ecosystem expands.