The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued a final advisory to parents and guardians across Nigeria, reiterating that the National Identification Number (NIN) is now mandatory for all candidates preparing for the 2026 Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (SSCE).
According to the commission, the move is aimed at ensuring a smooth and hitch-free registration and examination process for students nationwide. In its advisory, posted on NIMC’s official X account on Friday, the commission emphasised that the NIN is no longer merely a convenience but a “critical academic tool” that students require for school registrations, scholarship applications, and other government-linked benefits.
In the advisory, the commission addressed Nigerian parents directly, stating: “Dear Nigerian parent, your child needs an NIN. NIN is now important for school registrations, exams, scholarships, and many other government benefits.” NIMC further highlighted the urgency of compliance, noting that the National Identification Number has become indispensable in the modern academic and administrative environment.
To reduce the logistical burden on families, the commission has rolled out its “Ward Enrollment Strategy,” which decentralises registration operations and brings NIN registration points closer to communities. This initiative aims to capture students at the grassroots level, eliminating the need for long-distance travel and helping ensure that all candidates meet the registration deadlines for the 2026 SSCE.
The advisory also encouraged parents and guardians to locate their nearest Ward Enrollment Centres and initiate the registration process promptly. “And NIMSE Ward Enrollment is happening close to you. So locate the closest Ward Enrollment Centre to you and get started,” the commission urged. To further support accessibility, NIMC has provided digital and telephonic tools for parents to easily find the nearest enrolment centre, reflecting the broader “Assured Identity” mandate, which seeks to provide every Nigerian child with a unique digital footprint. The commission explained: “To know the closest Ward Enrollment Centre to you, you can check our website www.nimse.gov.ng or you can call the toll-free line on the screen. NIMSE, providing assured identity.”
Under the 2026 guidelines, minors below the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who already holds a valid NIN when registering at the ward centres. Parents are also required to present original birth certificates or statutory declarations of age to verify the child’s identity.
The commission stressed that registration at official centres remains completely free of charge and warned the public against engaging unauthorised agents, whose services could jeopardise the registration process. By combining decentralised enrolment points, digital support tools, and clear guidelines, NIMC seeks to ensure that all students have their NINs in place ahead of the 2026 SSCE, safeguarding their access to examinations, educational opportunities, and related government benefits.