The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has said all candidates registering for Nigeria’s 2026 Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (SSCE) must have a valid National Identification Number (NIN), warning that those without it will not be allowed to sit the exams.
In a statement posted on its official X account on Friday, the commission described the NIN as a “critical academic tool”, saying it would now be required not only for SSCE registration but also for school admissions, scholarship applications and access to other government-linked education services.
“The National Identification Number (NIN) is now a key requirement for school registration, examinations, scholarships, and many essential services. ”
NIMC said the measure was aimed at preventing last-minute difficulties during the registration and examination process.
It added that candidates who fail to obtain a NIN ahead of registration deadlines would be barred from writing the 2026 examinations.
To ease the process, the commission said it had introduced a “Ward Enrollment Strategy” designed to bring registration centres closer to local communities across the country. Parents and guardians were urged to make use of the initiative in good time.
The agency also advised the public to consult its official website and toll-free helpline to locate accredited enrolment centres. It warned against the use of unauthorised agents, stressing that NIN registration remains free of charge.
Under the new guidelines, minors under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who holds a valid NIN. Parents are also required to present original birth certificates or statutory declarations of age during enrolment.
The directive forms part of broader federal efforts to expand the use of the national identity system. Earlier this year, President Bola Tinubu ordered free nationwide NIN registration to ensure all Nigerians, including children, are captured in the national database.
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