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About two weeks after a report on the delay and network downtime being experienced by residents of Kwara at the State of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, in Ilorin, the agency has announced plans to begin a nationwide ward-level enrolment for the National Identification Number, NIN The exercise which has been scheduled to commence on February 16, 2026, will bring NIN enrolment closer to the people and reduce the traffic at NIMC enrolment centers across the country, including Kwara.
This initiative, according to the Commission, is part of efforts to deepen inclusion, curb loss of manhours, extortion, and expand access to registration for the foundational digital identity, NIN.
A press statement issued by the Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, Dr Kayode Adegoke, says the Commission was acting in accordance with a directive from the Presidency which mandated it to take NIN enrolment to the people at the grassroots.
“In line with the presidential directive mandating the National Identity Management Commission to take NIN enrollment to the grassroots and wards nationwide, the NIMC wishes to announce to the general public that registration and enrollment for issuance of the National Identification Number at wards nationwide will commence on Monday, February 16th, 2026,” the statement read.
The initial report by Rasheedat Oladotun-Iliyas of Radio Nigeria Harmony FM had highlighted the difficulty residents go through to participate in the exercise due to inadequate equipment, personnel and fluctuations in network services required for some services. It also stated clearly how the situation was affecting the set target for new enrolment into the National Identity Database.
According to the NIMC statement, the ward level enrollment will capture every Nigerian and legal residents, including children.
The statement indicates that the enrolment would be conducted free.
“The enrollment will be conducted free of charge, in furtherance of the Federal Government’s renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu, aimed at promoting inclusive governance, national development, and access to identity services.
“The ward-level enrolment initiative represents a strategic step towards deepening identity inclusion, decentralising services, and bringing registration to the ward level (communities), thereby improving accessibility, reducing travel burden, and promoting nationwide participation,” It says.
The statement also quotes the NIMC as urging Nigerians and legal residents who are yet to enrol for NIN, to take advantage of the opportunity.
It also announced the commencement of sensitisation campaigns across the country and engagements with stakeholders to ensure a successful exercise.
It affirmed that the Commission will partner State governments, local governments, religious and traditional rulers, as well as other social groups, to guarantee smooth enrollment across the wards.
NIMC however appealed to residents to mobilise for the exercise, persons who are yet to register.
It pointed out that the enrolment schedules, which would guide movement of licensed front-end partners and their staff, would be published on its website.
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