Federal Government Launches Digital Learner IDs for 1.9 Million WAEC and NECO Candidates
The federal government has officially introduced a nationwide learner identification system, issuing digital IDs to more than 1.9 million candidates registered for the 2026 examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council and the National Examinations Council. This initiative, unveiled by the Federal Ministry of Education through a post on X, assigns each student a unique and permanent number designed to track academic progress and improve planning across the education sector.
Digital System Targets Education Data Reform
Education Minister Maruf Tunji Alausa described the rollout as a significant step toward modernising Nigeria's learning framework. He emphasized that the programme aligns with the broader reform agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which focuses on technology-driven governance and human capital development. "This initiative marks a turning point in our education system. By assigning every learner a unique number, we are building a structure that supports each child's journey from classroom to career, while ensuring that no one is left behind," the minister stated.
Officials confirmed that candidates already registered for the 2026 WAEC and NECO examinations were captured in the first phase of implementation. The Learner Identification Number serves as a permanent academic record that follows students throughout their education, regardless of changes in school or location. Each code contains details linked to the student's state, local government area, and school, ensuring consistency in record keeping.
Unique IDs to Track Student Progress and Reduce Impersonation
The system operates on the Digitised National Education Management Information System, a platform that maintains a database of schools across the country. Authorities said connecting learners to verified institutions would improve transparency in examinations and reduce cases of impersonation. Beyond examination processes, the platform is expected to support broader education monitoring. It will help authorities identify out-of-school children, monitor progression, and detect early signs of dropout.
Next phase to cover all students. The ministry announced that the next stage will expand the programme to include all learners in both public and private institutions nationwide. This will be achieved through integration with national data systems and the Annual School Census. Stakeholders including school administrators, parents, and examination bodies have been urged to support the initiative to ensure effective implementation.
Officials added that the system represents a long-term effort to strengthen education management and improve learning outcomes across Nigeria. This move follows earlier measures by the federal government to tackle examination malpractice in the Senior School Certificate Examination, a key requirement for admission into tertiary institutions. The new steps apply to examinations conducted by WAEC, NECO, and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board.
