In a renewed hope to expand the coverage of the National Identification Number (NIN), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced the deployment of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members across Nigeria to support enrolment at the grassroots.
The initiative is being executed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the NYSC, and aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to register all Nigerians and legal residents in the national database.
Corps Members Undergoing Training
According to a statement released by NIMC’s Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, selected Corps members are currently undergoing intensive training and will be stationed at ward-level centres across the country once the program officially kicks off.
“This effort is geared toward ensuring easier access to NIN enrolment, especially for children and individuals in underserved communities,” the statement noted.
The Ward Enrolment Exercise aims to bridge existing gaps in registration access and accelerate the delivery of digital identity services to millions more Nigerians.
Over 120 Million Registered, But More Needed
So far, over 120 million Nigerians and legal residents have been issued NINs. However, millions remain unregistered, especially in rural and hard-to-reach regions.
The deployment of NYSC members is expected to make the enrolment process more accessible and decentralized, particularly for children under 16; a group now strongly encouraged to participate.
Ambitious Target: 95% by December 2025
NIMC’s Director General, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, has outlined a clear goal: register 95% of Nigeria’s population by December 2025. The plan involves a multi-pronged approach expanding infrastructure, creating more registration points, and launching awareness campaigns.
“With the Ward Enrolment Exercise, we intend to capture the majority of Nigerians by year-end 2025. Accurate population data is crucial for national planning,” she emphasized.
Backed by World Bank and International Partners
The nationwide NIN registration campaign is part of the Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) initiative, a project supported by the World Bank, French Development Agency (AFD), and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
- Originally, Nigeria was expected to enroll 148 million citizens by June 30, 2024, but the deadline was missed.
- In response, the World Bank extended the project’s timeline by two years, now set to close by June 30, 2026.
- The adjustment ensures full disbursement of the $430 million funding allocated for the project.
What This Means for Nigerians
With this new deployment strategy, the NIMC is placing more emphasis on local-level access and youth involvement in nation-building. Citizens are advised to take advantage of the Ward Enrolment opportunity, especially parents looking to register their children.
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