Over 1.9 million candidates issued new learner identification numbers – FG 

In a move to digitise Nigeria’s education sector, the Federal Government has launched a nationwide Learner Identification Number (LIN) system, with over 1.9 million candidates already issued unique IDs under the first phase of the rollout.

The initiative, designed to provide every learner with a permanent and traceable academic identity, is aimed at strengthening education data management, improving planning, enhancing examination integrity, and ensuring learning continuity across all levels.

According to a statement signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, described the initiative as a transformational milestone aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He said the system reflects the government’s commitment to leveraging technology for improved service delivery and human capital development in the education sector.

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

The Ministry confirmed that in the first phase, over 1.9 million candidates who registered for the 2026 examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council and the National Examinations Council have already been captured in the system and issued their Learner Identification Numbers.

The ministry explained that the LIN provides each student with a unique and permanent digital identity that captures key details such as state, local government area, school, and individual learner code. This structure ensures continuity of academic records even when students transfer between schools or relocate.

The initiative is built on the Digitised National Education Management Information System (DNEMIS), which has already established a comprehensive national database of schools.

Each school in the country has been assigned a unique ten-digit identification number, forming the backbone of the integrated education data system.

The Ministry noted that linking learners to verified school identities will strengthen examination verification processes, curb impersonation, and enhance the credibility of public examinations nationwide.

Beyond examination security, the LIN is also expected to help government agencies identify out-of-school children, track student progression, detect dropouts, and design targeted interventions to address learning gaps.

The platform is fully digital and designed to support efficient, transparent, and environmentally friendly education management.

The Ministry of Education added that the next phase of implementation will extend coverage to all learners in both public and private schools nationwide, with further integration through national data systems and the Annual School Census.

It called on stakeholders, including schools, examination bodies, parents, and students, to support the initiative and comply with its processes, describing it as a critical reform for building a more inclusive and accountable education system in Nigeria.