Senate approves National Identity Management Commission bill

The Senate on Wednesday passed the National Identity Management Commission (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2025, a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s national identity management system.

The motion for the rescission, re-committal, and passage of the bill was presented by Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele (APC–Ekiti), during plenary.

According to lawmakers, the new legislation is designed to enhance the operations and regulatory framework of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). It focuses on improving national identity management, data security, and personal data protection, ensuring that Nigeria’s identity infrastructure aligns with global standards.

He said that the National Assembly observed some fundamental issues that required fresh legislative action on the bill after its initial passage.

He said that the technical committee of the Senate, House of Representatives, and the Directorate of Legal Services met and worked on the bill.

According to him, the Senate, relying on its order 1b and 52b of its standing orders, resolved to rescind its decision on the bill as passed and re-committed it to the Senate for consideration.

After a clause-by-clause consideration of the bill at the Committee of the Whole, the bill was passed.

President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, thanked lawmakers and other critical stakeholders for their inputs on the bill.

He expressed his belief that President Bola Tinubu would sign the bill into law when it is transmitted.