Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has disclosed that seven suspected commanders of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were recently arrested at Katsina Airport while returning from the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage, following their identification through Nigeria’s integrated identity management system.
According to the minister, the suspects were intercepted last Thursday upon arrival from Mecca and immediately handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation.
Tunji-Ojo made the disclosure at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law.
President Tinubu assented to the legislation in the presence of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Prince Lateef Fagbemi, the World Bank’s representative Taimur Samad, and the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote.
The President described the new legislation as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to modernise identity management, strengthen national security, improve public service delivery and deepen the country’s digital economy.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Tunji-Ojo said the new law would further enhance internal security by strengthening the country’s identity management framework and improving access to government services.
He explained that when the Tinubu administration assumed office, Nigeria operated a fragmented identity management system in which major government databases functioned independently, limiting effective coordination among agencies.
“With this law, our security architecture can be enhanced. When Mr. President came on board, we had a disconnected system within our identity data management system. At that time, getting a passport and getting a driving permit were completely disconnected from our identity database. But today, you can’t get a Nigerian passport without pulling data from NIMC,” the minister said.
According to him, the integration of identity databases has significantly improved border security and intelligence operations.
“What you have in immigration is what you have in the NIMC database, and let me say this clearly, that it has even helped our border control process. I know, sometime ago, the Senate President was alarmed by how some terrorists went on pilgrimage, wondering how they crossed our borders. We inherited a fractured system.
“But I’m happy to tell you that even last week, Thursday, seven of the known commanders of Boko Haram and ISWAP at the point of coming back from Mecca were arrested in Katsina at the airport and were handed over to the DSS.
“This is only possible because NIMC’s ID is already connected with the immigration database, and it’s already speaking to even the Interpol 24/7, and we have been able to automate this,” he added.
The minister said the NIMC Act 2026 would accelerate the harmonisation of identity databases, strengthen the integrity of the National Identification Number (NIN) system, improve inter-agency collaboration and enhance Nigeria’s capacity to combat identity theft, terrorism, financial crimes and other security threats.
The legislation introduces a comprehensive digital identity framework, strengthens data protection measures and designates the National Identity Management Commission as the country’s Root Certification Authority for the National Public Key Infrastructure and Digital Public Infrastructure. It also expands the use of the National Identification Number for public and private sector transactions while prescribing tougher penalties for identity-related offences.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the presidential assent as a reflection of the National Assembly’s commitment to enacting laws that respond to Nigeria’s evolving security and development needs. He expressed confidence that the law would strengthen public trust in the country’s identity management system and support the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu also described the legislation as a transformative reform that would improve governance, promote accountability and support national development through a more credible identity management system.
“Today marks a historic milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation. It reflects the Federal Government’s bold commitment to building a robust, trusted and inclusive identity ecosystem,” Kalu said.
Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, assured that the commission would work closely with government agencies, development partners and the private sector to fully implement the provisions of the new law.
She described the Act as a major boost to the commission’s mandate, noting that it establishes a modern legal framework for Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem after 19 years under the previous legislation.
According to her, the law strengthens the National Identification Number as the country’s primary identity verification tool while introducing innovations that support secure digital identity, seamless access to government and private sector services, and Nigeria’s broader digital transformation agenda.
