Five months after the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) granted approval for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to register inmates for National Identity Numbers (NIN), the process has yet to start in any of the country’s 256 custodial centres, according to a recent report.
The initiative, which received the green light in January 2025, was designed to ensure that inmates are included in national development strategies, improve their security, and make identification easier in the event of jailbreaks or other emergencies.
NIMC’s decision came after a formal request from the Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, who highlighted the importance of integrating inmates into national programmes and enhancing security within correctional facilities. Nwakuche emphasized that registering inmates for NIN would also facilitate the tracking and recapture of escapees.
Despite these intentions, the registration process has not commenced. Sources within the NCoS attribute the delay to ongoing logistical preparations. Spokesperson Umar Abubakar confirmed, “Work is in progress. Don’t forget we have about 256 custodial centres across the federation, and it will take time to ensure all inmates are key to the system.”
The report underscores the scale and complexity of the task, with officials stressing the need for meticulous planning before the nationwide rollout can begin.
