The National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Development and the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has launched a new initiative to extend National Identification Number, NIN, registration to all electoral wards across the country.
Under this initiative, selected NYSC members are being trained to support NIN enrolment at the grassroots level, particularly in underserved and remote areas.
The programme is a key component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s *Renewed Hope Agenda*, aimed at ensuring that every Nigerian and legal resident has access to the NIN — a foundational ID number used to access government services and establish legal identity.
With over 120 million Nigerians and legal residents already registered, the NIMC now seeks to penetrate areas previously difficult to reach through its Ward Enrolment Strategy.
According to the NIMC, the Corps members undergoing training will soon be deployed across all wards in the federation, marking a significant milestone in the commission’s drive to bring identification services closer to the people.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at the NIMC, the commission encouraged all Nigerians — especially children under 16 years — to take advantage of this opportunity to get enrolled in their local communities.
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“This initiative is strategically designed to bridge the NIN access gap and to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of location, can be part of the national identity ecosystem,” the statement read.
The NIMC’s Director General/CEO, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, commended the steadfast support of President Tinubu in advancing the commission’s mandate and accelerating national identity coverage.
She also acknowledged the contributions of the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, and the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, for facilitating the corps member deployment.
“This collaborative initiative demonstrates what can be achieved when institutions unite for a national cause. We are particularly excited that our youth are being empowered to drive a critical element of digital inclusion and governance,” said Coker-Odusote.
The ward enrolment initiative is expected to especially benefit rural dwellers, school-aged children, and those without prior access to NIN registration centers.
Stakeholders say the move aligns with global best practices in identity management, promoting inclusion, security, and access to social and economic services.
Observers also note that integrating corps members into the enrolment process could speed up the timeline for universal NIN coverage — a critical target in light of the government’s digital governance agenda and population planning strategies.
The nationwide rollout is scheduled to begin shortly after the ongoing training is concluded.
Crediblenewsng.com
