Nigeria’s National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has partnered with the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to launch biometric-enabled identification cards for students. The agreement, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at NELFUND headquarters in Abuja, aims to streamline student identification while facilitating access to educational loans and financial services.
The collaboration brings together key stakeholders including NIMC Director General Abisoye Coker-Odusote and NELFUND Managing Director Akintunde Sawyerr, along with representatives from the Data Mining Company. The initiative will enable students to use their biometric cards for multiple purposes, including loan applications, cash transfers, and identity verification across educational institutions.
The news reflects Nigeria’s broader push toward comprehensive digital identity management. The country recently announced plans for its first biometric national census in 19 years, demonstrating a consistent strategy to modernize identification systems across various sectors.
The new biometric cards will integrate with Nigeria’s existing National Identification Number (NIN) system, which already connects individuals’ biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images, for identity verification purposes. This integration aims to create a more robust and secure identification framework for the education sector.
“This partnership represents a significant step forward in modernizing student identification and financial access in Nigeria’s education system,” said Coker-Odusote during the signing ceremony. “The biometric-enabled cards will not only enhance security but also streamline various administrative processes for students.”
The initiative comes as part of a larger trend in Nigeria’s digital transformation, following the country’s recent mandate making the National ID Number mandatory for accessing social services. The student biometric card system is expected to reduce fraud, improve security, and facilitate easier access to educational financial services.
