The National Identity Management Commission warned that all Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (SSCE) candidates must have a National Identification Number (NIN).

The commission claims that this is an attempt to guarantee that there won’t be any issues during the forthcoming Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations in 2026.

The recommendation, published on the commission’s official X platform on Friday, stated that the NIN is now a “critical academic tool” necessary for school enrolment, scholarship applications, and other government-related benefits, rather than merely a luxury.

“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 in its public alert.

With the recently launched “Ward Enrolment Strategy,” NIMC has decentralised its activities to remove the stress of long-distance travel.

In order to reach students at the grassroots level before the exam registration deadlines, the commission disclosed that registration locations have been relocated closer to communities.

“And NIMSE Word Enrollment is happening close to you. So locate the closest Word Enrollment Centre to you and get started,” the advisory urged.

Given the urgency, NIMC has made phone and internet resources available to parents so they may easily locate the center that is closest to them.

This is a part of the “Assured Identity” mandate, which aims to provide each kid in Nigeria a distinct digital footprint.

“To know the closest Word 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”, the NIMC added.

A parent or guardian who already has a valid NIN is required to accompany youngsters (children under 16) in accordance with the commission’s 2026 criteria.

Original birth certificates or legally required declarations of age are encouraged to be brought to the ward centers by parents.

The commission also made it clear that the procedure is still free at all official locations, cautioning the public against using unlicensed agents. ((The Sun)

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