The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) will begin nationwide ward-level enrollment for the National Identification Number (NIN) on Monday, February 16, 2026, aiming to expand registration to grassroots communities across Nigeria.

The announcement was made in a statement by Dr. Kayode Adegoke, NIMC’s Head of Corporate Communications. The initiative follows a presidential directive to decentralize NIN registration and make it more accessible to citizens and legal residents at the ward level.

NIMC said the exercise will cover all Nigerians and legal residents, including children and adults, and emphasized that registration will be conducted free of charge.

The move aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which seeks to promote inclusive governance, national development, and broader access to identity services.

According to NIMC, ward-level enrollment will reduce the need for long-distance travel to enrollment centers and encourage wider participation nationwide.

To ensure smooth implementation, the Commission has begun engaging stakeholders at national, state, and local levels through awareness campaigns highlighting the importance and benefits of NIN registration.

The outreach includes collaboration with state governments, local authorities, traditional rulers, community leaders, market associations, and faith-based organizations.

NIMC urged Nigerians and legal residents who have not yet enrolled to take advantage of the exercise, encouraging families to register children, parents, and relatives within their communities.

The Commission also announced that ward enrollment schedules, detailing the rotational deployment of licensed front-end partners and NIMC staff, are available on its official website.

This initiative is part of NIMC’s broader strategy to deepen identity inclusion and ensure a comprehensive national identity database.