NANS opposes proposed Learner Identification Number

. As workers shut King’s College over concession deal

The National Association of Nigerian Students has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed National Learner Identification Number, describing it as an unnecessary duplication of the National Identification Number already issued to Nigerians.

NANS President, Akinteye Afeez, stated this in a statement issued on Wednesday, reacting to the announcement of the proposed identification system by the National Orientation Agency.

The students’ body said it supported efforts to build an accurate database for the education sector but opposed the creation of a separate identification number for learners.

“There is no justification for imposing another identification number on Nigerian students when the National Identification Number already exists as the nationally recognised means of identification for citizens,” NANS said.

The association argued that government agencies should instead strengthen and maximise the existing national identification system rather than create another layer of identification for students.

The Federal Government had announced the proposed Learner Identification Number as part of measures to improve the management and verification of educational records.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said the system would help establish accurate identity records from the beginning of a learner’s educational journey and reduce discrepancies that could affect graduates later. The initiative is also part of broader efforts to link education records with the National Youth Service Corps and tackle certificate fraud.

NANS, however, said students were critical stakeholders in the education system and should be consulted before policies affecting their academic records, identity and welfare were introduced.

“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 association said.

It also accused the National Orientation Agency of overstepping its responsibilities, arguing that the agency’s mandate was to promote communication between government and citizens and encourage public participation, rather than introduce a new identification system.

“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.”

The students’ body further called on the Federal Government to immediately suspend the introduction and implementation of the proposed learner identification number.

It said, “NANS maintains that there is no need for an additional identification number when the National Identification Number already serves as a unique means of identification.”

The development comes as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to digitise education records and strengthen the verification of academic qualifications.

The Education Ministry said its Nigerian Education Repository Data Bank was collecting and verifying university certificates, while the Nigerian Education Data Infrastructure was being developed to link records across different stages of a learner’s educational journey.

The government has also been working with the NYSC to integrate education records into the mobilisation process, with prospective corps members expected to present authenticated academic qualifications before registration for national service.

In a related development , the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), King’s College Lagos Unit, says the foremost Unity College will remain shut until the reversal of its concession.

The Chairman of the unit, Mr Samuel Enang, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

“We have totally rejected the concession because we were employed by the Federal Government,” he said.

He said the workers would continue opposing the concession through lawful means, adding that the Federal Government must retain responsibility for King’s College Lagos.

NAN reports that the Federal Government has concessioned the college to King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA).

Enang told NAN that the principal of the college had informed the workers about the concession, saying that the workers rejected it.

He said the principal presented a letter from the Federal Ministry of Education informing  the staff about the concession of the college to KCOBA.

He said that the workers became more worried after being presented with a nominal roll requiring them to indicate whether they would want to continue  under  KCOBA or  Federal Civil Service.

According to him, the workers were informed that those opting for Federal Civil Service would be redeployed within Lagos.

“We immediately turned the briefing into a congress, rejected the concession and resolved that no staff member would sign any document that could jeopardise our employment.”

Enang said the workers were opposed to concession, privatisation or commercialisation of the college, expressing concern that such an arrangement could threaten jobs and make the institution unaffordable to the ordinary Nigerian families.

The unit chairman said that the concession could  lead to  higher school fees.

“Our children have been admitted for six years, and we have completed documentation, so government must clarify what happens to them if concession proceeds.

“If the government believes the school needs improvement, it should provide the necessary funding and infrastructure instead of handing over a public institution to private interests.

“We will continue to oppose the concession through lawful means until the government reverses the decision and guarantees the protection of workers, students and public education.

A NAN correspondent, who monitored developments at the college,  reports that there was no activity going on.

The gates of the college were shut. Only workers were seen discussing in small groups.

Mr Adeolu Ogunbanjo, Chairman, Board of Trustees, National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), also expressed concerns about the concession.

He told NAN that parents would want to know the reason for the concession.

“If government wants to withdraw from managing unity schools, it should tell Nigerians clearly and state its reasons,” he said.

Ogunbanjo warned that concessioning King’s College Lagos could trigger requests from old students’ associations of other Federal Government colleges.

A visit to Queens College, Yaba, Lagos, also a Unity College, on Wednesday, to know if it was also shut down, showed that registration for the 2026/2027 academic session was ongoing.

Parents and students were seen carrying out registration activities.

A member of staff, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that the registration was for both junior and senior classes.

NAN  observed that placement exercises were being supervised by workers.

A staff who pleaded anonymity told NAN:  “Resumption date is not yet confirmed because management awaits directives from Abuja before releasing information to parents and students about the new academic session.”

King’s College Lagos and Queens College, Yaba, Lagos, are among Nigeria’s oldest and most prominent Federal Government colleges, with a long history of academic excellence and national significance.

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