The Federal Government has launched a nationwide Learner Identification Number (LIN) system, issuing digital identities to more than 1.9 million candidates registered for the 2026 examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council and the National Examinations Council.
The initiative, announced by the Federal Ministry of Education, is aimed at assigning every student a permanent and traceable academic identity to support learning continuity, enhance education planning and enable timely interventions in the sector.
In a statement on Friday signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs Boriowo Folasade, the government said the system would ensure that every Nigerian child has access to structured and verifiable educational records.
The Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, described the reform as a major milestone in transforming the education sector, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which prioritises human capital development and technology-driven governance.
“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,” he said.
According to the ministry, over 1.9 million candidates already registered for the 2026 WAEC and NECO examinations have been issued their Learner Identification Numbers in the first phase of the rollout.
It noted that the system represents a significant step toward strengthening education data management and improving the integrity of public examinations nationwide.
About Learner ID System
The Learner Identification Number is a unique and permanent identifier assigned to each student, enabling the tracking of academic progress across different levels of education.
Each code contains structured data, including state, local government area, school and a unique student number, ensuring that records remain consistent even when learners change schools or relocate.
The ministry explained that the system is built on the Digitised National Education Management Information System, which already provides a national database of schools, each assigned a unique identification number.
Officials said linking students to verified school records would enhance examination verification, reduce impersonation and boost the credibility of national assessments.
Beyond examinations, the ministry added that the platform would help identify out-of-school children, track student progression, detect dropouts and support targeted educational interventions.
It further disclosed that the next phase of implementation would extend the identification system to all learners in public and private schools nationwide through national data systems and the Annual School Census.
