Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has declared that the education sector will serve as a major driver of Nigeria’s trusted digital future.
Dr Olatunji reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Education’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to strengthen identity management, improve education planning, and accelerate national development.
Speaking during an enlightenment and stakeholder engagement on the newly enacted National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act, 2026, the minister described a credible national identity system as one of the most critical foundations for effective governance, quality education, and sustainable economic growth.
Highlighting the importance of collaboration between both institutions, the minister disclosed that the ministry has already made significant progress in integrating the National Learners’ Identification Number (LIN) with the National Identification Number (NIN) through the Nigeria Education Management Information System (NEMIS).
According to him, the initiative is providing credible, biometrically verified education data that supports evidence-based policymaking, better resource allocation, targeted interventions, and improved learning outcomes across the country.
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He said the education sector, with about 80 million learners across all levels, remains one of the largest platforms for strengthening Nigeria’s trusted digital identity ecosystem.
Dr Alausa said the far-reaching reforms being implemented under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are transforming every sector of the Nigerian economy through innovation, technology, and institutional strengthening.
He noted that education remains central to the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda because it provides the skilled workforce and human capital required to achieve Nigeria’s aspiration of building a US$1 trillion economy.
The minister observed that President Tinubu’s conviction that technology is the greatest weapon against corruption is already reshaping governance across the country through transparent, efficient, and trusted digital systems.
He noted that the Federal Ministry of Education has continued to benefit from the President’s unwavering political will, strategic policy direction, and sustained support, enabling the ministry to undertake one of the most ambitious education reform programmes in recent decades.
Commending the leadership of NIMC, Dr Alausa praised the commission for repositioning Nigeria’s identity management system into one that meets global standards and inspires confidence both within the country and internationally.
He expressed that the new NIMC Act represents a major milestone in building a trusted digital ecosystem that will enhance service delivery, strengthen public institutions, and improve citizens’ access to government services.
The Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, Bisoye Coker-Odusote, said the commission’s nationwide engagement with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) was designed to create awareness of the major reforms introduced by the newly signed NIMC Act 2026 and to deepen institutional collaboration for its successful implementation.
The DG explained that the legislation establishes NIMC as Nigeria’s foundational digital identity authority while providing the legal framework for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), both of which are essential for secure digital governance and trusted electronic transactions.
She added that the commission has enrolled over 120 million Nigerians in the national identity database, integrated its verification services with key government institutions, financial institutions, and telecommunications operators, while also introducing the NIMC Authentication App and a free Digital ID Card for Nigerians.
