FG launches nationwide student identification system – THISAGE

By Victor Osula, Abuja

The Federal Government has officially launched a National Student Identification System (LIN), a landmark digital reform designed to assign every Nigerian student a permanent academic identity, in a bold move to transform the education sector, improve access and ensure that no child is left behind.

The initiative, led by the Federal Ministry of Education, aims to strengthen learning continuity, improve educational planning and enable timely, data-driven interventions across the country.

Stakeholders in the education sector have described the implementation as one of the most ambitious reforms in Nigeria’s education landscape in recent years, with the potential to reshape how students are monitored, supported and assessed throughout their academic journey.

Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the initiative is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in promoting human capital development and the implementation of technology to improve public service delivery.

“This initiative marks a turning point in our education system. By assigning each student a unique number, we are building a structure that supports every child’s journey from classroom to career, while ensuring no one is left behind,” the Minister said.

He also highlighted the broader impact of the reform, noting: “The student identification number is not just about data; it is about equity, transparency and opportunity. It allows us to see every child, support every student and effectively plan for our nation’s future.”

In its pilot phase, the government has already issued LINs to over 1.9 million candidates participating in the 2026 examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council and the National Examinations Council, marking a significant step towards strengthening examination integrity and data reliability nationwide.

Highlighting the importance of this achievement, the Minister said: “By integrating LIN into our examination systems, we are strengthening the credibility of our public assessments and ensuring that every candidate is verifiably linked to their academic record.”

The LIN system assigns each student a unique and permanent identification number, capturing essential data such as state, local government area, school and a distinct student code. This ensures that academic records remain intact and traceable even when students transfer from one school to another or move from one state to another.

Education experts point out that the reform addresses long-standing challenges in Nigeria’s education system, including poor record keeping, student dropout and lack of reliable data. By creating a centralized, digitized database, the government can now track student enrollment, attendance and progress more effectively.

Speaking in this regard, the minister added: “With accurate and reliable data, we can identify children who are not attending school, monitor progress, detect dropouts and intervene early. This way we can ensure that every student counts.”

In addition to tracking, the LIN initiative is also designed to curb malpractices and identity theft by connecting applicants to verified identities and registered schools. This is expected to significantly improve the credibility and transparency of public examinations, while restoring trust in Nigeria’s assessment processes.

The system is based on the National Education Management Digital Information System (DNEMIS), which provides a comprehensive national register of schools. Each school has been assigned a unique identification number, which forms the backbone of an integrated national education database.

The Minister highlighted the technological progress behind the reform, saying: “We are harnessing digital innovation to modernize our education system. The LIN platform is secure, accessible and environmentally sustainable, reflecting global best practices in education management.”

Looking ahead, the Federal Ministry of Education has announced that the next phase of the rollout will extend the LIN system to all public and private school students nationwide. This expansion will be implemented through national data platforms and the annual school census to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Calling for nationwide collaboration, the Minister urged stakeholders to support the initiative, saying: “We call on schools, exam bodies, parents and students to embrace this system. Its success depends on collective responsibility and full compliance.”

Reaffirming its commitment, the Ministry stressed that it will continue to leverage technology, data and innovation to build a transparent, inclusive and accountable education system that secures the future of every Nigerian child.

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