The Federal Government has introduced a nationwide digital identification system for students, issuing Learner Identification Numbers to more than 1.9 million candidates preparing for the 2026 WAEC and NECO examinations.

The new system, announced by the Federal Ministry of Education, gives each student a permanent academic ID designed to follow them throughout their education journey, regardless of school changes or relocation.

For years, Nigeria’s education system has faced challenges with tracking student records across schools and verifying identities during public examinations. These gaps have contributed to issues like impersonation, weak data management, and difficulty in monitoring student progress nationwide.

Each learner is assigned a unique digital code linked to key details such as location and school information. The ID is stored on a national education database and is expected to make student records more reliable and easier to verify.
Officials say the system will also help education authorities track academic progression, identify dropouts, and improve planning for interventions in the sector.

Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, described the initiative as a shift toward a more structured and technology-driven education system, aimed at strengthening how student data is managed across the country.
The ministry says the rollout will be expanded to include all students in both public and private schools in the next phase, as part of broader efforts to modernise education data systems in Nigeria.