The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has rejected allegations that it is exceeding its statutory mandate through its involvement in the Federal Government’s National Learner Identification Number (LIN) initiative.
NOA Director-General, Lanre Issa-Onilu, said on Thursday, September 10, 2026, that the agency neither originated nor implements the scheme.
His clarification followed the National Association of Nigerian Students’ (NANS) rejection of the LIN on Wednesday, September 9.
NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, described the initiative as unnecessary, arguing that it could duplicate the existing National Identification Number (NIN). The association also questioned NOA’s role and called for the scheme to be halted.
Issa-Onilu said NOA’s involvement was limited to informing citizens about government policies and programmes and facilitating public feedback.
He explained that the mandate applies to policies across Ministries, Departments and Agencies, regardless of which institution formulates or implements them.
READ ALSO: NANS Rejects FG’s Learner ID, Says NIN Already Enough
The Director-General said NOA’s “Pulse of the Nation” reports also provide a channel for capturing citizens’ views and relaying them to government.
He acknowledged NANS as a key stakeholder but urged the association to direct its concerns about the LIN to the authorities responsible for the scheme.
Issa-Onilu added that NOA remained open to discussions with NANS, students and other stakeholders, particularly over the LIN’s relationship with the NIN.
The dispute comes months after the Federal Government announced the LINiD in March 2026 and began its nationwide rollout in April to strengthen education records and track learners through their academic progression.
More than 1.9 million candidates for the 2026 West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations were reported to have received LINs during the initial rollout.
While government officials have described the LIN as an education-specific identifier distinct from the NIN, NANS argues that a separate learner number is unnecessary.
NOA maintained that communicating the policy and facilitating public engagement does not amount to formulating or implementing it.