The Federal Government of Nigeria has said that the use of National Identification Number (NIN) is now a mandatory requirement for registration for Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) by candidates, Tribune reports.

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, who made this disclosure, on Thursday, in Abuja during 2020 Ministerial press briefing, ordered the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), to work out modalities with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for implementation.

Recall that the Board had attempted introduction of the policy two years ago but failed because of the low level of enrolment for the National Identity Cards by Nigerians.

Adamu while speaking, on Thursday, however, stated that, “the use of the National Identity Number (NIN) for JAMB registration by candidates is now a government policy.

“JAMB is working closely with the National Identity Management Commission, to ensure the sustainability of this policy and eliminate multiple registrations,” he said.

According to the Minister, candidates would have to use their National Identity Cards all the way to universities and other tertiary institutions and even beyond.

He disclosed that goverment has built, equipped and standardised over 650 JAMB examination centres while planning to build additional 800 centres in 2021 and 1,000 in 2022 and 1,200 in 2023.

Thekokospot reports that the Federal Government had also made it mandatory for telecon users to link their NIN with their sim cards, giving a February 9th deadline.