In a major step towards national data integration and inmate identification, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has announced the successful enrollment of 74% of inmates nationwide into the National Identity Database.
The initiative, a collaboration between the NCoS and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), aims to provide inmates with valid identification numbers, aiding both legal documentation and access to rehabilitation services.
According to NCoS officials, the enrollment is part of a broader reform agenda designed to modernize Nigeria’s correctional system and ensure that no citizen, regardless of their incarceration status, is excluded from the national identity ecosystem.
Speaking on the development, a senior official from the Service said, “This effort is essential in maintaining accurate records, facilitating justice processes, and enhancing the reintegration of inmates into society after their sentence.”
The enrollment exercise, which spans across correctional facilities in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, has been lauded by civil rights groups and digital inclusion advocates. They emphasize the importance of ensuring every Nigerian is captured in the national data system, as it also links to access to health care, voter registration, and other social services.
The Correctional Service confirmed that efforts are ongoing to capture the remaining 26% of inmates, many of whom are awaiting trial or lack the necessary documentation to proceed with enrollment.
This milestone is seen as a significant achievement in Nigeria’s journey toward a more inclusive and digitally organized society.
