Nigerian Woman Born Without Fingerprints Shares JAMB, NYSC Biometric Struggles

For Jidds, a Nigerian woman born without fingerprints, biometric verification has meant years of delays, anxiety and repeated explanations. She has a rare condition called adermatoglyphia, which prevents fingerprint ridges from forming on the fingers, palms and toes. She said the challenge began during her 2017 JAMB registration, when officials tried several methods to capture her prints while she waited for hours. The problem continued through examinations, banking processes and NYSC, where scanners sometimes recorded her entry but failed to capture her exit. Jidds also described facing stigma from people who misunderstood her condition. A dermatologist advised that affected people can seek confirmation from a consultant dermatologist at a teaching hospital and obtain an exemption letter for fingerprint-based verification. Her story has renewed calls for JAMB, NYSC, banks and other agencies to provide clear alternatives for Nigerians who cannot use fingerprint scanners.

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