NANS: Rejects Learner Identification Number Nigeria as NIN Duplication

• The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has rejected the Federal Government's proposed National Learner Identification Number (NLIN).
• NANS views the NLIN as an unnecessary duplication of the existing National Identification Number (NIN) and calls for strengthening the current system instead.
• The government introduced NLIN to improve educational record management, verify identities, link with NYSC, and combat certificate fraud.
• NANS argues that students are critical stakeholders who must be consulted on policies affecting their academic lives and welfare.
• NANS accused the National Orientation Agency of overstepping its mandate by announcing the new identification system and demanded its immediate suspension.

NANS contends that there is no justifiable reason to impose an additional identification requirement on Nigerian students when the National Identification Number already functions as the officially recognized means of identification across the nation.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has vocally rejected the Federal Government’s proposed National Learner Identification Number (NLIN), characterizing it as an unnecessary replication of the existing National Identification Number (NIN) already assigned to citizens. Akinteye Afeez, the President of NANS, issued a statement on Wednesday, articulating the student body's firm opposition following the announcement of the identification system by the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

While NANS expressed support for initiatives aimed at establishing a comprehensive and accurate database for the education sector, it firmly opposes the introduction of a distinct identification number specifically for learners. The association contends that there is no justifiable reason to impose an additional identification requirement on Nigerian students when the National Identification Number already functions as the officially recognized means of identification across the nation. Instead, NANS advocates for government agencies to enhance and fully utilize the current national identification framework, rather than creating an additional layer of identification for students.

The Federal Government had previously unveiled the proposed Learner Identification Number as a strategic measure to enhance the administration and verification processes for educational records. According to Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, this system is intended to ensure the establishment of precise identity records from the very beginning of a learner's academic journey, thereby mitigating discrepancies that could adversely affect graduates in the future. This initiative also forms part of broader governmental efforts to integrate education records with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and to combat certificate fraud effectively.

However, NANS argues that students are essential stakeholders within the education system and must be consulted before the implementation of any policies that directly impact their academic records, personal identity, and overall welfare. The association emphasized that Nigerian students are not merely recipients of educational services but are critical participants in the sector's development, asserting their right to be involved in all policy formulation and implementation processes that affect their academic lives, identity, records, welfare, and future prospects. This stance underscores the National Learner Identification Number opposition from a key demographic.

In its strong rebuke, NANS also accused the National Orientation Agency of exceeding its defined responsibilities. The student body highlighted that the NOA's primary mandate involves fostering communication between the government and its citizens and encouraging public participation, rather than initiating new identification systems. NANS explicitly stated that the National Orientation Agency has 'drifted from and has failed in its mandate,' urging the agency to 'come to terms with the limits of its mandate' regarding the Federal Government education ID controversy.

Consequently, NANS has called upon the Federal Government to immediately halt the introduction and implementation of the proposed learner identification number. The association reiterated its position that there is no necessity for an additional identification number when the National Identification Number already serves as a unique identifier, thereby highlighting the National Identification Number duplication Nigeria issue. This development unfolds amidst intensified government efforts to digitize education records and bolster the verification of academic qualifications, with the Education Ministry's Nigerian Education Repository Data Bank actively collecting and verifying university certificates, and the Nigerian Education Data Infrastructure under development to link records across various educational stages. The government is also collaborating with the NYSC to integrate education records into the mobilization process, requiring prospective corps members to present authenticated academic qualifications for registration.

Lawyers advising educational institutions, students, or employers involved in credential verification should monitor the status of the proposed Learner Identification Number. Its implementation, or lack thereof due to significant opposition, could affect data management, privacy, and compliance obligations related to student identification and record-keeping.

Source: Original reporting via Christabel Ndoeche