The Senate has passed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Bill, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s identity management framework and ensuring every citizen and legal resident is properly captured in a unified national database.
The passage of the bill followed the consideration and adoption of the report presented by the Senate Committee on National Identity and Population at plenary on Tuesday.
Presenting the report, the Committee Chairman, Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central), said the proposed legislation seeks to repeal and re-enact the National Identity Management Commission Act of 2007 to align with current realities, global standards, and technological advancements in data management.
According to him, the bill empowers the NIMC to register all Nigerians and legal residents, issue unique identity numbers, and manage a central database to facilitate national planning, social welfare, security, and financial inclusion.
He explained that the law would harmonize existing identity systems managed by various government agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, and Independent National Electoral Commission, into a single, verifiable identity platform.
Senator Umeh added that the measure would eliminate duplication of data, reduce fraud, and ensure that government services are efficiently delivered to eligible citizens.
During the debate, several lawmakers commended the committee for its work, describing the bill as a critical step toward improving national security, economic planning, and social development.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the session, said the bill represents a significant stride in modernizing Nigeria’s governance system and ensuring every citizen has a recognized legal identity.
“With this legislation, Nigeria will move closer to a digital governance structure that is transparent, inclusive, and secure,” Akpabio stated.
The bill also provides for strict data protection provisions to safeguard citizens’ personal information and prevent unauthorized access or misuse of identity data.
Following its passage, the Senate directed the Clerk to transmit the bill to the House of Representatives for concurrence before it is sent to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
If signed into law, the new NIMC Act will serve as the legal foundation for an integrated identity system expected to support national development initiatives, improve public service delivery, and strengthen national security.
