The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), describing the education sector as a critical driver of Nigeria’s trusted digital future.
Alausa gave the assurance while receiving the Director-General of NIMC, Engr. Bisoye Coker-Odusote, and her management team during an enlightenment and stakeholder engagement on the newly enacted National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act, 2026.
He said a credible national identity system remains fundamental to effective governance, quality education and sustainable economic growth, stressing that the Federal Ministry of Education would continue to support efforts aimed at building a robust digital identity ecosystem.
According to the minister, the reforms being implemented under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are transforming key sectors of the economy through technology, innovation and institutional strengthening, with education playing a central role in producing the skilled workforce required to achieve Nigeria’s economic aspirations.
Alausa noted that the President’s emphasis on technology as a tool for promoting transparency and combating corruption has driven the adoption of more efficient digital systems across government institutions.
He commended NIMC for repositioning Nigeria’s identity management system to meet global standards, describing the newly enacted NIMC Act as a significant milestone in strengthening digital governance, enhancing service delivery and improving citizens’ access to government services.
Highlighting ongoing collaboration between both institutions, the minister disclosed that the Ministry had made significant progress in integrating the National Learners’ Identification Number (LIN) with the National Identification Number (NIN) through the Nigeria Education Management Information System (NEMIS).
He said the initiative was providing credible, biometrically verified education data to support evidence-based policy decisions, efficient resource allocation and targeted interventions across the education sector.
Alausa added that with about 80 million learners across early childhood, primary, secondary, technical, vocational and tertiary education, the education sector remains one of the country’s largest platforms for expanding Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem.
Earlier, NIMC Director-General, Engr. Bisoye Coker-Odusote, said the Commission’s nationwide engagement with Ministries, Departments and Agencies was aimed at creating awareness of the reforms introduced by the NIMC Act 2026 and strengthening institutional collaboration for its implementation.
She explained that the legislation establishes NIMC as Nigeria’s foundational digital identity authority while providing the legal framework for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), which are essential for secure digital governance and trusted electronic transactions.
According to her, more than 120 million Nigerians have been enrolled into the national identity database, while NIMC has integrated its verification services with key government institutions, financial institutions and telecommunications operators. She also highlighted the introduction of the NIMC Authentication App and a free Digital ID Card for Nigerians.
Providing an overview of the reforms, the Head of Strategy and Programme Office at NIMC, Dr. Alva Nkoku, said the new Act marks Nigeria’s transition from conventional identity management to a comprehensive digital trust framework capable of supporting secure authentication, digital signatures and paperless public administration.
He noted that the legislation would strengthen education service delivery through secure student enrolment, scholarship administration, examination management and certificate authentication, while reducing fraud and improving data integrity.
In her closing remarks, Coker-Odusote commended the Minister for the ongoing reforms in the education sector, describing the Federal Ministry of Education as a model of innovation and public sector transformation.
She reaffirmed NIMC’s commitment to sustaining its partnership with the ministry to ensure that the education sector fully benefits from Nigeria’s evolving digital identity ecosystem.
Responding, Alausa assured the Commission of the ministry’s full support in implementing the provisions of the NIMC Act within the education sector, stressing that the partnership would strengthen education delivery, promote transparency and advance the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda.
