The Federal Government is set to extend trusted digital identity coverage to nearly 80 million learners across Nigeria’s education system. This initiative is a collaborative effort with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, the Education Minister, disclosed this during a meeting with NIMC Director General Engr. Bisoye Coker-Odusote in Abuja on Thursday, July 10, 2026. The announcement was made in an official notice on X by the Federal Ministry of Education.
This move signifies a deeper collaboration between the ministry and NIMC to integrate identity and education data infrastructure. The Education Ministry has already integrated the National Learners’ Identification Number with the National Identification Number through the Nigeria Education Management Information System.
This integration links learner identity data with the national identity database. It is designed to support education planning, equitable resource allocation, and improved learning outcomes across all levels of Nigeria’s education system.
Minister Alausa described the NIMC Act, 2026, as a landmark reform. He stated it will strengthen governance, improve public service delivery, and deepen trust in digital identity systems nationwide.
Nigeria’s education sector currently serves nearly 80 million learners across all levels, making it one of the largest beneficiary populations for any digital identity expansion initiative in the country. The verified education data from this integration will support more accurate planning and resource allocation.
NIMC Director General Coker-Odusote added that the national identity database has already enrolled over 120 million Nigerians. Digital identity services continue to expand nationwide, reinforcing the partnership's significance.
This collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Education and NIMC aligns with a broader federal push. The government aims to use digital identity infrastructure as a foundation for improving governance and service delivery across key sectors.
The Federal Government is also working to strengthen Nigeria’s education system through reforms focused on improving learning outcomes and enhancing accountability. Nairametrics previously reported that June 29 to July 3, 2026, has been declared National Learning Assessment Week.
During this week, Nigeria will conduct its first nationwide learning assessment across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This assessment, announced by the Federal Ministry of Education’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, aims to generate reliable data on students’ learning outcomes to guide educational planning and inform policy reforms.
