Students preparing to sit the Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations in 2026 may be barred from writing the exams if they do not have a National Identification Number or arrive with a Parent bearing one if they are under 16, following a directive from the National Identity Management Commission.
The warning, issued on Friday via the commission's official X platform, made it clear that the NIN is no longer optional but has become a "critical academic tool" required for school enrolment, scholarship applications and access to other government benefits.
"Dear Nigerian parent, your child needs an NIN. NIN is now important for school registrations, exams, scholarships, and many other government benefits," the commission stated.
To ease the process and reduce the burden on families, NIMC has launched the "Ward Enrolment Strategy," a decentralised approach that brings registration centres closer to communities. The initiative is designed to reach students at the grassroots level and ensure they are enrolled before examination registration deadlines.
"And NIMC Ward Enrollment is happening close to you. So locate the closest Word Enrollment Centre to you and get started," the advisory urged.
Parents have been provided with phone and internet resources to locate the nearest registration centre. The commission stated that details are available on its website, and parents can also call the toll free line displayed on official platforms. The move is part of NIMC's "Assured Identity" mandate, which seeks to provide every Nigerian child with a distinct digital footprint.
Under the commission's 2026 guidelines, children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who possesses a valid NIN. Parents are encouraged to bring original birth certificates or legally required declarations of age to the ward centres.
NIMC also clarified that the registration process remains completely free at all official locations and cautioned the public to avoid engaging unlicensed agents who may attempt to exploit the urgency of the requirement.
With examination periods fast approaching, parents and schools are being urged to act quickly to ensure all students are enrolled and compliant with the new policy to avoid last minute complications.
