The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed National Learner Identification Number, arguing that the initiative would create an unnecessary layer of identification for Nigerian students.
NANS President, Akinteye Afeez, disclosed the association’s position in a statement issued on Wednesday in response to the government’s plan to introduce the new identification system.
The students’ body said it supported efforts to develop a reliable database for the education sector but questioned the need for a separate identification number when the National Identification Number already provides a nationally recognised identity for citizens.
“There is no justification for imposing another identification number on Nigerian students when the National Identification Number already exists as the nationally recognised means of identification for citizens,” NANS said.
The association urged government agencies to strengthen and make better use of the existing national identification infrastructure instead of introducing another system that could increase administrative burdens for students.
The proposed Learner Identification Number is part of the Federal Government’s broader plan to digitise education records, improve verification and create a more reliable trail of a learner’s academic history.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, had said the system would help establish accurate identity records from the beginning of a learner’s educational journey and address discrepancies that could later affect graduates.
The initiative is also expected to support the integration of education records with the National Youth Service Corps and help government tackle certificate fraud.
However, NANS said students should be involved in decisions concerning systems that directly affect their academic records, identity and welfare.
“Nigerian students are not mere beneficiaries of the education system; we are critical stakeholders in its development and must be carried along in every policy formulation and implementation that directly affects our academic lives, identity, records, welfare, and future,” the association said.
NANS also criticised the National Orientation Agency for its involvement in the announcement, alleging that the agency had exceeded its mandate.
The association argued that the agency’s responsibilities centre on communicating government policies to citizens and promoting civic participation, rather than introducing identification systems.
“The National Orientation Agency has clearly drifted from and has failed in its mandate,” NANS said, urging the agency to respect the limits of its responsibilities.
The students’ body called on the Federal Government to suspend the proposed identification number, maintaining that the NIN should remain the basis for uniquely identifying Nigerian learners.
The dispute comes as the government expands efforts to connect education records across institutions and agencies. The Education Ministry is developing systems including the Nigerian Education Repository Data Bank and Nigerian Education Data Infrastructure to improve the storage, verification and exchange of academic records.
Government agencies are also working towards linking education records with NYSC mobilisation processes, including the verification of academic qualifications presented by prospective corps members.
NANS said it would continue to oppose policies it considers unnecessary or burdensome to students.
