Nigeria to Extend Digital Identity to 80 Million Learners

The Federal Ministry of Education, led by Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, is partnering with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to extend trusted digital identity coverage to approximately 80 million learners across Nigeria's educational system. This initiative aims to strengthen the digital identity ecosystem as part of the NIMC Act 2026, which provides a legal framework for a unified national identity system.

The collaboration will enhance public service delivery, improve resource allocation, and support evidence-based planning in education. The NIMC has successfully integrated the national learner identification number into the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS), facilitating the verification of educational data.

This effort is part of a broader strategy to modernize governance through technology and ensure efficient public service delivery. The NIMC's Director General, Engr. Bisoy Coker Odusot, emphasized the importance of the NIMC Act in establishing a secure digital identity framework essential for electronic transactions and public administration.