NIMC begins free NIN registration for students in Kano

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced the commencement of free National Identification Number (NIN) registration for pupils and students in public primary and secondary schools across Kano State.

The initiative, aimed at facilitating early access to NINs for schoolchildren, particularly those preparing for national examinations like WAEC and NECO, was revealed during a stakeholder engagement meeting held at the Kano State Ministry of Education.

Emmanuela Igbinovia, the NIMC Regional Coordinator, explained that the registration will cover pupils in primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary schools.

She emphasized the growing need for students to possess NINs as part of examination requirements and outlined plans to ensure a smooth and efficient registration process.

“We are here to collaborate with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to map out strategies for a successful NIN registration exercise in public schools,” she said.

“Forms will soon be distributed to parents for completion and validation before the scheduled registration day.”

Igbinovia also noted that a specific date will be announced for the biometric capturing, after which the printed NIN slips will be distributed to all registered pupils and students.

In his remarks, the NIMC State Coordinator, Garba Balarabe, highlighted that the exercise is part of efforts to boost Kano’s NIN enrollment figures.

He pointed out that recent statistics showed Lagos ahead of Kano by over two million enrollees, a gap he believes can be closed through this mass registration drive in public schools.

Responding on behalf of the state government, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ali Haruna Makoda, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Bashir Baffa Muhammed, pledged full support for the initiative.

He urged parents and relevant stakeholders to cooperate with NIMC officials to ensure that every eligible child is registered.

The free registration campaign is expected to significantly improve access to identification for thousands of schoolchildren across Kano State.

The Star