The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued a final advisory to parents and guardians, stressing that the National Identification Number (NIN) is mandatory for all candidates ahead of the 2026 Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (SSCE) and other academic exercises, official sources say.

In a public notice posted on its official social media platform, the commission warned that candidates without a valid NIN will not be allowed to register for examinations or related academic processes, emphasising the importance of the NIN as a basic identification requirement for school registrations, scholarship applications and access to other government-linked services.

The advisory, issued on Friday February 27, 2026, underscored that the NIN is no longer optional but a “critical academic tool” for every student. NIMC urged parents and guardians to ensure that their children and wards obtain the number well ahead of registration deadlines to avoid last-minute complications.

To ease enrollment, the commission has decentralised its registration process through a Ward Enrolment Strategy, placing enrolment centres closer to communities across the country so more candidates can be captured and issued with a NIN on time, the advisory said.

NIMC also reminded parents and guardians that minors under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who already has a valid NIN during the enrolment process. The commission stressed that official registration remains free of charge and warned the public against using unauthorised agents to obtain the NIN.

The latest directive reinforces the government’s broader efforts to integrate the NIN into key aspects of public life and academic administration across Nigeria, ensuring that all eligible citizens are uniquely identified in official databases.