The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed introduction of a National Learner Identification Number (LIN) for students across the country.
NANS expressed its rejection following an announcement by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on the proposed nationwide implementation of the measure stating that it was concerned that a policy with far-reaching implications for millions of Nigerian students was being introduced without adequate consultation with the students’ representative body.
Speaking on the development on Wednesday, NANS President, Akinteye Afeez, said the association, being the apex umbrella body representing Nigerian students at home and in the diaspora, should be actively involved in the formulation and implementation of policies affecting students.
Afeez held that anything done for the association without it’s knowing is outrightly against it’s plans and wishes, adding that students should be treated as critical stakeholders in decisions concerning their academic lives, identity, records and welfare.
While acknowledging the importance of maintaining an accurate database and improving the effectiveness of Nigeria’s education system, the NANS president said the association rejects in totality and condemns vehemently the proposed introduction and implementation of the LIN.
According to him, there is no justification for creating another identification number for Nigerian students when the National Identification Number (NIN) already serves as the nationally recognised means of identification for citizens.
Afeez argued that Nigerian students already possess NINs and that introducing a separate identification number for learners would amount to an unnecessary duplication of identification systems.
He urged government agencies to instead strengthen and maximise the existing national identification system, rather than creating an additional system that could place extra administrative burdens on students.
The NANS president described the proposed policy as unacceptable, particularly because of what he called the failure to carry students along in the decision-making process.
He maintained that Nigerian students were not merely beneficiaries of the education system but critical stakeholders whose views should be considered in policies affecting their identity, academic records, welfare and future.
Afeez also criticised the NOA, accusing the agency of exceeding its mandate by championing the proposed learner identification system.
He said the agency was established to promote effective communication between government and citizens, provide feedback and encourage citizens’ participation in issues affecting their welfare, rather than assume responsibility for imposing a new identification system on students.
He urged the NOA to return to its core mandate and desist from what he described as overreaching its responsibilities.
According to him, the agency should facilitate dialogue between government and citizens and ensure that the concerns of affected groups are communicated to the appropriate authorities.
NANS called on the Federal Government to immediately halt the introduction and further implementation of the National Learner Identification Number, maintaining that the existing NIN system provides a sufficient foundation for identifying Nigerian students.
The association also urged the government to prioritise the integration and strengthening of existing identification systems rather than introducing another number that, in its view, could create avoidable duplication and administrative complications.