By Ademola Ade
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has rejected the proposed National Learner Identification Number (LIN), describing it as unnecessary and a duplication of Nigeria’s existing identification system.
The student body also accused the National Orientation Agency (NOA) of exceeding its statutory mandate by championing the initiative, which it said could impose additional financial, administrative and bureaucratic burdens on millions of Nigerian students.
In a press statement signed by its President, Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, GCNS, NANS demanded an immediate halt to the introduction and implementation of the proposed LIN.
The association argued that the National Identification Number (NIN) already provides Nigerians with a nationally recognised identification mechanism, questioning the justification for creating a separate number for students.
“Nigerian students already have the National Identification Number (NIN),” NANS said, insisting that the government should strengthen and maximise existing identification infrastructure rather than create parallel systems.
“There is no justification for imposing another identification number on Nigerian students when the National Identification Number (NIN) already exists as the nationally recognised means of identification for citizens,” the association added.
NANS said its objection was not limited to the proposed identification system but also extended to the manner in which the policy was being developed, stressing that students must be treated as critical stakeholders in policies affecting their education, identity, academic records and welfare.
It expressed concern that the LIN initiative was announced without what it described as adequate involvement of the apex student representative body.
“Anything done for us without us is outrightly against us,” the association declared, demanding meaningful student participation in policies directly affecting Nigerian learners.
While acknowledging the importance of accurate and reliable data in the education sector, NANS maintained that such objectives could be achieved by integrating educational records with existing national identification infrastructure rather than creating another identification number.
The association also took aim at the NOA, alleging that the agency had moved beyond its statutory responsibilities by taking ownership of an initiative that NANS argued falls outside its mandate.
“The National Orientation Agency has clearly drifted from and has failed in its mandate,” NANS alleged, urging the agency to respect the limits of its responsibilities.
According to the students, NOA was established to promote effective communication between government and citizens, provide feedback and encourage citizens’ participation, rather than impose or champion policies affecting citizens without adequate consultation.
“It is worrisome that an agency established to promote effective communication between government and citizens, provide feedback, and encourage citizens’ participation in matters affecting their welfare would instead appear to be championing a policy that imposes an additional stress on Nigerian students,” the association said.
NANS urged the agency to return its focus to its core responsibilities and not function merely as a publicity channel for government policies or assume responsibility for initiatives outside its statutory remit.
The student body consequently called on the Federal Government to suspend the LIN initiative and retain the NIN as the country’s unique identification mechanism.
“Therefore, we call on the Federal Government to immediately halt the introduction and further implementation of the National Learner Identification Number,” NANS declared.
NANS warned that it would oppose policies it considered unnecessary or capable of placing additional burdens on students.
It said any reform involving education and national identification should be based on consultation, efficiency, institutional clarity and meaningful participation by students and other stakeholders.
“NANS, as the apex student representative body, will continue to defend the interests, rights, and welfare of Nigerian students and will not accept the imposition of unnecessary policies that place additional burdens on students or duplicate existing national systems,” the association said.
The students urged the Federal Government to reconsider the LIN initiative, engage student representatives and prioritize the strengthening of existing national systems rather than establishing parallel identification structures.
