By Mercy Aikoye
The Federal Government has warned that individuals involved in fraudulent activities will no longer have hiding places as Nigeria begins the implementation of its new National Identity Management law aimed at strengthening accountability, transparency and digital governance.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), gave the warning on Friday in Abuja during a meeting with the Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote.
Fagbemi said the newly enacted legislation would provide Nigeria with a modern identity management framework capable of supporting the fight against corruption, improving public service delivery and boosting confidence in the country’s digital economy.
President Bola Tinubu signed the new National Identity Management law on June 26, 2026, replacing the 2007 Act, which the Attorney General described as outdated and unable to meet the demands of today’s rapidly changing digital environment.
According to Fagbemi, a reliable national identity system is critical to preventing fraud and ensuring that individuals and businesses operating within the country can be properly verified.
He noted that the new legal framework would support key sectors including banking, e-government services, national security and economic planning, while providing a secure foundation for digital transactions.
“It is not enough to commend the law. People must understand what it promises and the opportunities it provides. Those who act within the law have nothing to fear, but those involved in fraudulent activities should know that there will no longer be any hiding place,” he said.
The minister urged Nigerians to embrace the reforms and take advantage of the digital identity platforms being introduced by NIMC, adding that public awareness was necessary to address concerns and build trust in the system.
He directed the NIMC leadership to intensify sensitisation efforts on the provisions and benefits of the new law, describing the implementation as a collective responsibility towards achieving greater transparency and national development.
Earlier, Coker-Odusote commended the Ministry of Justice for supporting reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s identity management system.
She assured the Attorney General of NIMC’s commitment to working closely with the ministry to ensure the effective implementation of the law, as well as deepen institutional collaboration through capacity building and other reforms.
“We will continue to support the Ministry and collaborate in every way possible to ensure the successful implementation of these reforms,” she said.
