NIN Registration: Lepers Decry Exclusion, Call for Recognition

Despite Nigeria’s push for a digital economy, individuals affected by leprosy face systemic exclusion, unable to access National Identification Numbers (NIN) due to physical challenges like missing fingers. This exclusion has disrupted their lives, with many losing access to bank accounts and essential services. In Ogun State, leprosy survivors express struggles with daily survival, relying on meager government stipends and facing land encroachment that disrupts farming—once their primary occupation. They also encounter discrimination in public transportation and education. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) assures that leprosy survivors can be enrolled without fingerprints through alternative methods, such as photo identification. However, leprosy survivors continue to appeal for greater government support and societal integration, emphasizing the need for increased financial aid and inclusive policies to address their plight.