NANS rejects National Learner Identification Number, accuses NOA of overreach
pannigeriannews
2 min read
By Isaiah Adewole
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has rejected the proposed National Learner Identification Number (LIN), describing the initiative as unnecessary and an avoidable duplication of the existing National Identification Number (NIN) system.
In a statement issued today and signed by its President, Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, NANS said it was concerned that the National Orientation Agency (NOA) announced the initiative without adequately involving the students who would be directly affected by it.
NANS acknowledged the importance of maintaining an accurate database within Nigeria’s education system but argued that creating a separate identification number for learners was unnecessary because Nigerian students already possess the NIN.
“There is no justification for imposing another identification number on Nigerian students when the National Identification Number (NIN) already exists as the nationally recognised means of identification for citizens,” the association said.
According to NANS, the government should instead strengthen and maximise the existing national identification infrastructure rather than create another identification system specifically for students.
The association also criticised the NOA over its role in introducing the LIN, accusing the agency of exceeding its statutory mandate.
“The National Orientation Agency has clearly drifted from and has failed in its mandate,” NANS said, urging the agency to “come to terms with the limits of its mandate and refrain from assuming responsibilities that do not belong to it.”
NANS maintained that students are critical stakeholders in the education system and should be involved in policies that affect their academic lives, identity, records, welfare and future.
“Nigerian students are not mere beneficiaries of the education system; we are critical stakeholders in its development and must be carried along in every policy formulation and implementation that directly affects our academic lives, identity, records, welfare, and future,” the statement said.
The students’ body further argued that the NOA was established to promote communication between government and citizens, provide feedback and encourage citizens’ participation, rather than impose new identification systems on students.
“NOA is an agency established to promote effective communication between government and citizens, provide feedback, and encourage citizens’ participation in matters affecting their welfare, and not an agency to merely act as a publicity channel for government policies or assume the responsibility of imposing new identification system on Nigerian students,” NANS said.
The association therefore called on the Federal Government to immediately halt the introduction and further implementation of the National Learner Identification Number.
NANS reiterated that it would continue to defend the interests, rights and welfare of Nigerian students, stressing that it would not accept policies it considers unnecessary or duplicative of existing national systems.
“NANS, as the apex student representative body, will continue to defend the interests, rights, and welfare of Nigerian students and will not accept the imposition of unnecessary policies that place additional burdens on students or duplicate existing national systems,” the association said.
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