The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued a final advisory to parents and guardians, reiterating the mandatory requirement of the National Identification Number (NIN) for all candidates ahead of the 2026 Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (SSCE).
The advisory, posted on the commission’s official X platform on Friday, described the NIN as a “critical academic tool” necessary for school registrations, scholarship applications, and other government-linked 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 reduce long-distance travel and make registration more accessible, NIMC has launched the Ward Enrollment Strategy, moving registration points closer to communities to capture students at the grassroots level before the examination registration deadlines.
“And NIMSE Ward Enrollment is happening close to you. So locate the closest Ward Enrollment Centre to you and get started,” the advisory urged.
Parents can use digital and telephonic tools to locate nearby centers, part of the commission’s “Assured Identity” mandate to provide every Nigerian child with a unique digital footprint.
“To know the closest Ward Enrollment Centre to you, you can check our website www.nimse.gov.ng or call the toll-free line. NIMSE, providing assured identity,” the commission added.
For 2026, minors under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who already has a valid NIN. Parents are encouraged to bring original birth certificates or statutory declarations of age to the ward centers.
The commission reiterated that registration at official centers is free and warned against patronising unauthorised agents.
