The National Association of Nigerian Students has rejected the Federal Government’s introduction of the National Learner Identification Number, calling for an immediate halt to the implementation of the policy.

The Federal Government announced the proposed Learner Identification Number as part of efforts to establish a consistent identity for students, integrate education records and tackle certificate racketeering.

The government said the system would provide learners with a unique identity throughout their educational journey and help address discrepancies in academic and identity records.

NANS, however, expressed concerns over the policy and demanded that its implementation be suspended pending wider consultations with students and other stakeholders.

The students’ body questioned the need for another identification system alongside existing national identification mechanisms.

It also called for greater clarity on how students’ personal data would be collected, stored and protected under the proposed system.

NANS said students should not be subjected to additional administrative or financial burdens through the introduction of the new identification framework.

The association urged the Federal Government to engage student representatives, education stakeholders and relevant agencies before proceeding with the initiative.

The controversy comes as the Education Ministry and NYSC intensify digital integration of academic records to combat certificate fraud and ensure that genuine graduates are not denied national service or employment because of discrepancies in their records.