- The National Identity Management Commission set to start ward-level NIN enrolment nationwide from February 16
- The Commission assured that the exercise is free of charge, covering children and adults
- The initiative aims to decentralise registration and reduce travel burdens
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced that nationwide ward-level enrolment for the National Identification Number (NIN) will commence on Monday, February 16, 2026, as part of efforts to expand access to identity services across the country.
In a press statement on Wednesday, February 11, Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, said the move follows a presidential directive mandating the commission to take NIN registration to the grassroots.
“In line with the presidential directive mandating the National Identity Management Commission to take NIN enrollment to the grassroots and wards nationwide, the NIMC wishes to announce to the general public that registration and enrollment for issuance of the National Identification Number at wards nationwide will commence on Monday, February 16th, 2026,” the statement read.
The commission explained that the initiative is aimed at achieving comprehensive registration of Nigerians and legal residents, including both children and adults, into the National Identity Database.
“This nationwide exercise is designed to ensure the comprehensive registration of every Nigerian citizen and legal resident, including children and adults, into the National Identity Database,” NIMC said.
The exercise will be conducted free of charge, aligning with the Federal Government’s broader inclusion agenda.
“The enrollment will be conducted free of charge, in furtherance of the Federal Government’s renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu, aimed at promoting inclusive governance, national development, and access to identity services,” the statement added.
NIMC described the ward-level initiative as a strategic step to decentralise identity services and reduce the burden on citizens who previously had to travel long distances to access registration centres.
“The ward-level enrollment initiative represents a strategic step towards deepening identity inclusion, decentralising services, and bringing registration to the ward level (communities), thereby improving accessibility, reducing travel burden, and promoting nationwide participation,” the statement noted.
The commission has also begun consultations and sensitisation campaigns across government and community structures to ensure a smooth rollout. State governments, local government heads, traditional rulers, community leaders, market associations, and faith-based organisations are being engaged to guarantee successful implementation.
NIMC urged Nigerians and legal residents yet to obtain their NIN to take advantage of the exercise, adding that enrollment schedules, which will guide the rotational movement of licensed front-end partners and staff, will be published on the commission’s website.
“More harm than good”: NIMC’s 3-in-1 card announcement does not excite Nigerians
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) proposed a three-in-one card which would be made available to citizens across the country between July and August, 2024.
The Commission revealed that the multipurpose card would be equipped with payment capability for all types of social and financial services, among other functions, aside from being a means of identity.
However, Nigerians doubted that the NIMC would be able to satisfactorily execute the proposed multipurpose card project.