Nigeria Extends Digital ID to 80 Million Learners via NIMC

The Federal Government is extending trusted digital identity coverage to nearly 80 million learners across Nigeria’s education system in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission.

The Ministry of Education and NIMC will roll out the Learner Identification Number system and Digitised National Education Management Information System to cover students in public and private schools nationwide.

Full rollout details

The initiative assigns each learner a permanent unique academic identifier that tracks progress from primary through secondary school and across institutions. More than 1.9 million candidates for the 2026 WAEC and NECO examinations have already received learner identification numbers. The system integrates with DNEMIS to create a national register of schools and a centralised databank for enrolment, completion, and performance data.

By linking learners to verified national identities the platform aims to reduce examination impersonation and improve tracking of out-of-school children and dropouts. The Federal Ministry of Education and NIMC are conducting a nationwide rollout that requires participation from schools, examination bodies, and state authorities.

Background and timing

Minister of Education Tunji Alausa introduced the Learner Identification Number one month earlier to address dropout tracking. Nigeria has already enrolled 130 million people in its national digital identity system and targets 180 million by year-end with World Bank support. The education partnership marks the first major sectoral application of the national identity infrastructure beyond basic enrolment.

The DNEMIS platform consolidates all critical education data on a single digitised system while each learner record connects directly to NIMC’s verified identity database.

Impact on stakeholders

Edtech platforms and examination bodies gain access to longitudinal learner records that support adaptive learning tools and secure remote testing. State education authorities and schools must update data systems to connect with the new national platform. Children without prior identity documents receive foundational digital IDs that can later support access to financial services and social programmes.

Data governance questions around consent and protection of minors’ records will require attention as the system scales to 80 million entries.

Federal Ministry of Education spokesperson Folasade Boriowo stated: “By linking learners to verified identities, the system enhances examination security, reduces impersonation, and supports tracking of out-of-school children, dropouts, and learning gaps.”

Next steps

Officials will monitor school-level integration and examine how many additional learners receive numbers ahead of the 2026 examination cycle. Progress on DNEMIS connectivity and any privacy compliance measures will indicate whether the platform achieves full national coverage.