• The Federal Government has launched a nationwide Learner Identification Number (LIN) system for students
• Over 1.9 million candidates registered for 2026 WAEC and NECO exams have already received digital IDs
• The system provides each student with a permanent, traceable academic identity

The Federal Government has introduced a nationwide Learner Identification Number (LIN) system, assigning digital IDs to 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).

The initiative, unveiled by the Federal Ministry of Education, aims to provide every student in Nigeria with a permanent and traceable academic identity.

This is expected to enhance learning continuity, strengthen education planning, and support timely interventions across the sector.

In a statement released on Friday, April 10, and signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the government said the system is designed to ensure that every Nigerian child has access to structured and verifiable educational records.

Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, described the development as a significant milestone in the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s education system.

He noted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, 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,” the minister said.

According to the ministry, the first phase of the rollout has already covered over 1.9 million candidates registered for the 2026 WAEC and NECO examinations, all of whom have been issued their Learner Identification Numbers.

The system represents a significant step toward improving education data management and reinforcing the integrity of public examinations across the country.

The Learner Identification Number serves as a unique and permanent identifier for each student, enabling seamless tracking of academic progress across different levels of education.

Each code contains structured data such as the student’s state, local government area, school, and a unique identification number, ensuring continuity even when students change schools or relocate.

The initiative is powered by the Digitised National Education Management Information System, which already maintains a national database of schools, each assigned a unique identification number.

Education officials say linking students to verified school records will improve examination verification processes, reduce cases of impersonation, and strengthen the credibility of national assessments.

Beyond examinations, the ministry explained that the platform will play a key role in identifying out-of-school children, monitoring student progression, detecting dropouts, and enabling targeted interventions within the education system.

Described as fully digital and integrated into national education data frameworks, the system is seen as a major step toward modernising education management in Nigeria.

The ministry further disclosed that the next phase will expand the identification system to cover all learners in both public and private schools nationwide, using national data systems and the Annual School Census.

Stakeholders, including schools, examination bodies, parents, and students, have been encouraged to support full compliance with the new learner identification framework.

WAEC rolls out digital certificate service in Nigeria, four others

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) officially launched its Digital Certificate Services System, called WAEC DigiCert, across all five member countries; Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

The platform allows users to access, request, confirm, or share digital certificates and recover lost exam numbers. The council assures the system is reliable, authentic, and cost-effective while traditional certificate printing continues