The Federal Government has launched a nationwide Learner Identification Number (LIN) to modernise Nigeria’s education system and give every student a permanent digital identity.

The system assigns each learner a unique number that will follow them throughout their education, helping to improve record-keeping, support learning continuity, and strengthen education planning and intervention.

The initiative also aims to ensure that every Nigerian child has access to education and is properly captured in the national education database.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, described the LIN as a major reform aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, focused on human capital development, better service delivery, and the use of technology in education.

“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,” the Minister said.

In the first phase of the rollout, more than 1.9 million candidates registered for the 2026 examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) have already been issued the Learner Identification Number.

The government said the LIN is designed to strengthen education data management and protect the integrity of public examinations.

Each learner’s identification number contains key details such as state, local government area, school, and a unique student code. This allows students’ academic records to be tracked even if they change schools or relocate.

The system builds on the Digitised National Education Management Information System (DNEMIS), which has already created a national database of schools.

Under this system, every school in Nigeria has a unique ten-digit identification number, forming the foundation of a unified education database.

By linking students to verified school records, the system is expected to reduce examination malpractice, prevent impersonation, and improve the credibility of national examinations.

Beyond examinations, the LIN will also help government identify out-of-school children, track student progress, detect dropouts, and respond quickly to learning gaps.

The ministry said the next phase will extend the system to all learners in public and private schools across the country, using national data platforms and the Annual School Census.

It called on stakeholders—including schools, examination bodies, parents, and students—to support the initiative and comply with its requirements.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to using technology and data to build a transparent, inclusive, and accountable education system for all Nigerian children.