The National Association of Nigerian Students has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed National Learner Identification Number, describing it as unnecessary because of the existing National Identification Number.
NANS President, Akinteye Afeez, stated this in a statement on Wednesday, reacting to the announcement by the National Orientation Agency.
The association said it supported efforts to build an accurate education database but opposed creating 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.
It urged the government to strengthen the existing national identification system instead of creating another layer of identification.
NANS also demanded students’ involvement
in policies affecting their academic records, identity and welfare.“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.
The students’ body further accused the National Orientation Agency of exceeding its 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.”
NANS called on the Federal Government to suspend the proposed identification system, insisting that “there is no need for an additional identification number when the National Identification Number already serves as a unique means of identification.”
