Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has announced the successful registration of 59,786 inmates into Nigeria’s National Identity Number (NIN) database, representing approximately 74% of the country’s total inmate population.
This was made known in a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the NCoS spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, who stated that the registration exercise is ongoing across custodial centres nationwide.
“As of June 7, 2025, out of the total inmate population of 80,879, 59,786 inmates have been captured into the NIMC platform,” the statement read.
The ongoing NIN registration is being carried out in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) as part of a broader effort to integrate inmates into the national identity ecosystem.
Registration in Progress Nationwide
The Service confirmed that it has put mechanisms in place to ensure a seamless completion of the registration process for the remaining 26% of inmates.
“The registration of the remaining inmates is actively in progress, and mechanisms have been put in place to ensure its seamless completion,” the NCoS added.
Debunking Misleading Reports
Responding to recent media reports suggesting that NIN registration had not begun in any custodial centre, the NCoS described such claims as false, misleading, and not reflective of the facts on the ground.
“The Service wishes to categorically state that the NIN registration of inmates in our custodial centres is not only ongoing but has recorded significant progress.”
“A majority of inmates across various custodial centres nationwide have already been successfully enrolled into the National Identity Database through the collaborative efforts of the Service and the National Identity Management Commission.”
This clarification follows growing public concerns and conflicting reports regarding the actual implementation status of the NIN initiative within Nigeria’s correctional facilities.
The NIN enrollment drive aligns with Nigeria’s broader security and data integration policies. Ensuring that all citizens, including inmates, are captured in the national database aids in identity verification, post-incarceration reintegration, and national planning.
This 9am News report confirms that the exercise is part of an inclusive national identity framework, and further underscores the role of inter-agency collaboration in advancing digital identification.
With more than 59,000 inmates already enrolled, stakeholders expect the completion of the nationwide registration soon. The NCoS has reaffirmed its commitment to full inmate coverage and dismissed concerns over administrative delays.
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