The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has revealed that the National Identity Number (NIN) registration in the prisons has started and that 59,786 inmates have been successfully enrolled in the ongoing exercise across custodial centres nationwide.
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In a statement on Sunday, the service’s spokesperson, Umar Abubakar clarified that the figure represents around 74% of Nigeria’s total inmate population of 80,879 as of 7 June 2025.
The exercise is being conducted in partnership with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), as part of efforts to integrate all inmates into Nigeria’s national identity database.
The NCoS also responded to recent media reports claiming the NIN registration had not commenced in any custodial facility. It described such claims as false, misleading, and not reflective of reality.
‘The NIN registration of inmates in our custodial centres is not only ongoing but has recorded significant progress’, the statement emphasised.
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It stressed that a majority of inmates across the country have already been enrolled into the national identity database, and the process is proceeding steadily with structured plans in place for full coverage.
