The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed that a majority of inmates across the country have been successfully enrolled into the National Identity Management Commission’s (NIMC) database, countering recent media reports suggesting otherwise.
In a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Umar Abubakar, the NCoS disclosed that as of June 7, 2025, 59,786 out of 80,879 inmates, approximately 74 percent, have already been registered in the NIMC system. The service attributed this milestone to the collaborative efforts between NCoS and the identity management agency.
The statement dismissed claims circulating in some sections of the media that the National Identity Number (NIN) registration exercise had yet to begin in custodial centres, describing such reports as “misleading” and “factually incorrect.”
Abubakar noted that registration of the remaining inmates is actively ongoing and that adequate mechanisms have been put in place to ensure the seamless completion of the process across all correctional facilities.
He emphasized the NCoS’s commitment to integrating inmates into the national data infrastructure as part of broader rehabilitation, reintegration, and digital inclusion initiatives.
“The NIN registration of inmates in our custodial centres is not only ongoing but has recorded significant progress,” the statement read. “The Service remains committed to the full integration of inmates into national data systems, including the NIN, as part of broader efforts to promote rehabilitation, reintegration, and digital inclusion.”
The NCoS also called on media outlets to verify information with relevant authorities before publication, warning that the dissemination of inaccurate reports could mislead the public and undermine the agency’s efforts.