FG Launches National Learner Identification Number For Students

The Federal Government has introduced a National Learner Identification Number (LIN) to give Nigerian students a permanent and traceable academic identity.

The initiative, led by the Federal Ministry of Education, is designed to track students’ academic journeys, improve education data and support better planning and intervention across the country.

More than 1.9 million candidates registered for the 2026 WAEC and NECO examinations have already been issued Learner Identification Numbers in the first phase of the rollout. The government plans to extend the system to learners in public and private schools nationwide.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the system would allow authorities to follow students throughout their education, including when they transfer between schools or states.

“This initiative marks a turning point in our education system. By assigning every learner a unique number, we are building a structure that supports each child’s journey from classroom to career, while ensuring that no one is left behind,” Alausa said.

The LIN is designed to help government monitor student progression, identify dropouts and out-of-school children, strengthen examination verification and address learning gaps.

The system is also linked to the Federal Government’s wider Nigeria Education Data Infrastructure (NEDI) initiative, which seeks to create a unified education data system covering schools, students, teachers, infrastructure and learning outcomes.

The government said the initiative will improve continuity of academic records, particularly for students who relocate or change schools.

The nationwide rollout marks a major step in the Federal Government’s efforts to use digital technology and reliable data to improve education planning and service delivery.