The Ondo State Operations Coordinating Unit (SOCU) has stepped up its statewide sensitisation campaign on the integration of the National Identification Number (NIN) into the National Social Register (NSR), extending awareness efforts from government institutions to grassroots communities across the state.
The initiative, which commenced with engagements at the state level, is now being taken directly to communities to ensure residents understand the importance of obtaining and linking their NIN to the National Social Register.
Speaking during an advocacy visit to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, the Ondo SOCU State Coordinator, Olaoluwa Bankole, said the National Identification Number goes beyond serving as a requirement for social intervention programmes.
According to him, the NIN is a nationally recognised identity tool that enables citizens to access a broad range of government services while providing reliable means of identification.
Bankole disclosed that individuals already captured in the National Social Register but who are yet to obtain a NIN would be assisted to register and have their identification numbers linked to their existing records.
Referring to the recently enacted National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act, 2026, he explained that the NIN-NSR integration is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen and humanise the National Social Register by ensuring that every beneficiary has a unique and verifiable identity.
“Once a person’s NIN is linked to the register, government can confidently verify that the record belongs to a specific individual. The objective is to improve the accuracy and credibility of the data, eliminate duplication and ensure that government interventions reach the right beneficiaries,” he said.
The state coordinator appealed to the Permanent Secretary to help disseminate the information among key stakeholders to deepen public awareness and encourage wider participation in the exercise.
Responding, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Rev. Samuel Ogunlade, reiterated the ministry’s commitment to the initiative, describing the integration exercise as a vital step towards improving the credibility, accuracy and transparency of the National Social Register.
He assured that the ministry would continue to provide the necessary institutional support and leadership required for the successful implementation of the programme.
Ogunlade also urged all eligible residents, particularly those already enrolled in the register, to obtain and link their NIN.
He said the exercise would improve data quality, strengthen accountability and enhance the effective delivery of government social intervention programmes to deserving beneficiaries.
As part of the grassroots campaign, Bankole later met with community stakeholders in Edema, Akure, where he appreciated residents for their continued support for SOCU’s activities and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring that no eligible household is excluded from the ongoing expansion and strengthening of the National Social Register.
He explained that the sensitisation exercise was designed to educate residents on the benefits of integrating the National Identification Number into the register and to encourage both existing beneficiaries and prospective enrollees to obtain their NIN.
The coordinator urged residents to provide accurate personal information during the exercise to facilitate seamless registration and integration.
He further assured the community that trained registration officers would visit their communities to carry out the exercise, stressing that both NIN registration and integration are completely free of charge.
Similarly, during a sensitisation programme held for residents of Iyange I and II communities, the Head of Operations, Mr. Sesan Kumuyi, emphasised the uniqueness of the National Identification Number.
According to him, no two individuals can possess the same NIN, while it is also unlawful for a person to have more than one NIN.
“The National Identification Number is unique to every individual. No two people can possess the same NIN and an individual cannot legally have more than one NIN,” he said.
Kumuyi noted that the identity number serves as a strong safeguard against impersonation, identity theft and other fraudulent practices.
“Integrating the NIN into the National Social Register will enhance the integrity of the database and ensure that government benefits are delivered to the rightful members of registered households,” he added.
He urged residents to take advantage of the exercise, noting that the integration would strengthen the integrity of the register and improve the targeting of government social intervention programmes.