Nearly 60,000 Inmates Enrolled in NIN: Correctional Service Pushes Forward with Digital Identity Drive
June 7, 2025 | Abuja, Nigeria
In a major step toward digital inclusion and national security, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has announced that 59,786 inmates have so far been enrolled in the National Identity Number (NIN) registration program across custodial centres nationwide. The figure, which represents 74% of Nigeria’s total inmate population of 80,879, highlights the government’s efforts to integrate all citizens—regardless of status—into the national identity system.
The NIN registration initiative, launched in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), aims to ensure that inmates are not left out of Nigeria’s growing digital identity ecosystem, which is vital for public service access, national planning, and internal security.
Registration Progress and Clarification
In a statement released Sunday, the NCoS clarified recent media reports suggesting that NIN registration had yet to commence in some facilities, calling such claims “false and misleading.”
“Available data shows that as of June 7, 2025, out of the total of 80,879 inmates’ population, 59,786 inmates, approximately 74 per cent have been captured into the NIMC platform,” the statement noted.
The agency added that mechanisms are in place to ensure the remaining 26% of inmates are registered without disruption, with a seamless rollout plan underway across the country’s 256 custodial centres.
Why Inmate NIN Registration Matters
The move to register inmates is part of a broader strategy to ensure no one is excluded from the country’s digital transformation and national development policies. According to Acting Controller-General of NCoS, Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche, the partnership with NIMC is not just about data—it’s about national integration and security.
“This collaboration enables the Correctional Service to carry out its mandate effectively, especially in times of jailbreaks, by simplifying the process of inmate identification and recapture,” Nwakuche explained.
He further highlighted the changing profile of Nigerian inmates, noting that many have now achieved academic milestones, including university degrees, master’s degrees, and even PhDs.
“Such individuals should not be excluded from national development plans. They must be reintegrated into society to contribute meaningfully to their families and the country,” he added.
NIMC’s Role in the Broader Agenda
The NIMC’s role in the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s digital agenda, which prioritizes universal digital identity as a cornerstone for economic planning and development. Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, Director-General of the NIMC, emphasized the importance of NIN integration in everything from student loan eligibility to financial account verification.
“We are partnering with the private sector, especially banks and the Central Bank of Nigeria, to ensure that all bank accounts are linked with NIN. This helps to eliminate fraud and ghost beneficiaries,” she said.
According to the NIMC, over 120 million Nigerians have been enrolled in the NIN database as of April 30, 2025, with an ambitious goal to capture 100 million more by December 2025.
The Road Ahead
The inmate enrollment drive underscores the Nigerian government’s commitment to inclusion, security, and modernization. By ensuring that even the most marginalized populations are part of the digital identity system, authorities aim to streamline access to public services, tighten national security, and enable better planning for reintegration and rehabilitation.
As the exercise continues, the NCoS and NIMC reaffirm their commitment to completing full registration of the remaining inmates and ensuring every Nigerian—regardless of circumstance—is counted and recognized in the national identity landscape.
