National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Olumide Olusegun
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Student Engagement, Sunday Asefon, has proposed the integration of the National Identity Card with student identification cards for a more multifunctional purpose.
Asefon made the call during a visit to the Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, on Friday.
According to a statement issued following the meeting, Asefon expressed the need for a strategic initiative to merge the National Identification Number (NIN) with student ID cards.
This, he said, would enhance the functionality of the cards and provide a seamless multi-purpose use for students across the country.
The statement quoted Asefon as saying: “I had the privilege of visiting the Director General of NIMC to discuss a strategic initiative aimed at integrating the National Identification Number (NIN) with student ID cards for multi-purpose use.
The primary goal is to ensure that all students, across all levels of education, are registered and have access to digital identification. This integration will provide accurate data on Nigerian students, which will assist in data-driven policymaking and informed decisions in the education sector.”
Asefon emphasized that linking the NIN with opportunities like internships, skills acquisition programmes, and job placements would empower students and provide them with better access to essential developmental opportunities.
He further added, “The Senior Special Assistant’s office is committed to collaborating with NIMC to raise awareness in schools and campuses across the country. Our aim is to ensure that students obtain their NINs, not just for exam registration, but also to prevent identity fraud and safeguard their personal information.”
In response, the Director General of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, expressed her readiness to collaborate with Asefon’s office, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, and the Ministry of Education.
She highlighted that NIMC is already working to increase awareness about NIN registration across campuses, adding that significant progress has been made in transforming the commission since her appointment.
This partnership, the statement noted, aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s forward-looking vision to implement impactful initiatives, skill acquisition programs, and address the needs of Nigerians at all levels.
