By Efe Onodjae

Digital rights advocates have called for greater transparency in the implementation of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026, insisting that the protection of citizens’ personal data must remain at the heart of Nigeria’s digital identity system.

The experts made the call during an X Space hosted by the Foundation for Digital Justice (FDJ) on July 29, themed “Strengthening Protection of Citizens’ Personal Data and Advancing Big Tech Accountability.” The session attracted 163 participants and featured lawyer and doctoral researcher at the Open Universiteit, Netherlands, Nonso Anyasi, alongside the Executive Director of the Human Rights Journalists Network Nigeria, Kehinde Adegboyega.

Speaking during the discussion, Anyasi dismissed claims that the new law abolishes existing means of identification, explaining that its primary objective is to strengthen the protection of citizens’ identities and personal information.

According to him, the Act introduces enhanced safeguards because virtually every aspect of a Nigerian’s identity is now linked to the National Identity Number (NIN).

“The NIMC Act 2026 did not abolish the present means of identification. It only introduced stronger safeguards because almost everything about a Nigerian’s identity is linked to the National Identity Number,” he said.

Anyasi also described the introduction of penalties for identity theft, cyber-related offences and corrupt practices by officials of the National Identity Management Commission as one of the landmark provisions of the law.

However, Adegboyega faulted the process that culminated in the passage of the legislation, arguing that civil society organisations and other critical stakeholders were sidelined.

“The manner in which the NIMC Act 2026 was passed raises serious democratic concerns. Citizens, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders were not meaningfully consulted,” he said.

He further noted that although President Bola Tinubu signed the bill into law in June 2026, the gazetted version of the Act was yet to be made publicly available.

Adegboyega also warned against compromising citizens’ privacy in the quest to deepen digital innovation, stressing that technological advancement should not come at the expense of fundamental rights.

The speakers agreed that while the NIMC Act 2026 has the potential to strengthen Nigeria’s digital identity framework, its implementation must be driven by transparency, accountability and respect for citizens’ privacy rights.

In his remarks after the discussion, Senior Legal Adviser of the Foundation for Digital Justice, Festus Ogun, said the X Space was part of the organisation’s sustained efforts to deepen public engagement on digital rights, data protection and responsible technology governance.

“The Foundation remains committed to creating platforms that encourage informed public engagement on digital rights and technology governance in Nigeria,” Ogun said.