59,786 out of 80,879 prison inmates now enrolled for NIN – NCoS

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has revealed that 59,786 inmates have so far been enrolled in the NIN registration exercise currently ongoing across various custodial centres nationwide. The figure represents 74 per cent of the country’s total inmate population of 80,879.

According to a statement by the agency on Sunday, the NIN registration is conducted in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and is part of an ongoing effort to integrate inmates into Nigeria’s national identity database.

While a total of 59,786 inmates have been captured in the NIN initiative, the NCoS explained that mechanisms are in place to ensure that the registration of the remaining inmates is done in a seamless operation.

“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 reads.

The service also tagged reports that claimed NIN registration had yet to begin in any custodial centre as false and misleading. It further reaffirmed that the enrolment of inmates had not only commenced but is yielding tangible results.

“The attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service has been drawn to a recent publication by a section of the media, alleging that the NIN registration exercise is yet to commence in all custodial centres across the country. This report is misleading, inaccurate, and does not reflect the current state of affairs within our custodial facilities,” it affirmed.

NCoS highlighted that the 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 NIMC.

Also Read: NIN enrollment: NIMC targets 85% registration before December 2025.

The collaboration for inmates’ NIN enrollment

Earlier in January, NIMC granted the Nigerian Correctional Service a license to register all 80.879 inmates across the 256 custodial centres in the country for NIN. It stated that the process will enable the registration of inmates for NIN, which will also prevent the exclusion of inmates from the country’s National Development plans.

As the process is structured for establishing a partnership with NIMC, NCoS Acting Controller General, Mr Sylvester Nwakuche, said that it would enable the Service to carry out its mandate seamlessly following ongoing reforms of the Correctional Service system. He added that the collaboration would also ensure the inmates’ safety and security and facilitate their smooth recapture in times of jailbreaks.

“There are lots of socio-economic developments within the Correctional Service systems. This had led to a number of inmates obtaining University degrees, Masters Degrees, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in various fields. Such inmates should not be excluded from the national development plans of the country as they should be integrated into the society to become useful for their families and the country,” he said.

The NIMC DG, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote stressed that the administering of NIN has become significant and critical for the actualisation of Nigeria’s development plans. She noted that as part of the eight-point agenda of President Bola Tinubu to promote the country’s digital identity of National Identity Number, NIMC had gone far with the private sector, especially the banks and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as all bank accounts are now linked with the NIN.

“For instance, NIN was tied to student loans to eradicate duplicity and prevent ghost beneficiaries. We will give you the license and support to ensure you carry out the mandate of the service effectively,” she said.

According to information on the NIMC portal, approximately 120 million Nigerians have been enrolled under the scheme as of April 30, 2025, with the commission revealing that 100 million more Nigerians would be captured by December.