The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has earnestly advised the consumers to complete the integration of their National Identity Numbers (NINs) with Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Cards.
The telecoms regulatory body, in a public notice via one of its social media tools, reminded Nigerians to do their NIN-SIM integration as the exercise “ends on the 31st of March, 2022.”
The NCC said: “If you have not linked your NIN to your SIM, hurry up and do so before the deadline.”
Naijanewsdirect reports that the Federal Government in December 2021 extended the deadline for the NIN-SIM data verification to March 31 2022..
The government implored Nigerians and legal residents to complete the process of enrollment, verification and NIN-SIM integration on or before the new date.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs at the NCC, and Mr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), in a joint statement issued in Abuja said that the stakeholders applauded the Federal Government for the significant growth in the number of NIN enrollments, and the increased drive to enlighten Nigerians and legal residents in the country.
The regulatory authorities also indicated that as at December 30, 2021, the National Identity Management Commission had issued over 71million NINs with 14,000 enrollment centres set up across Nigeria.
” NIMC had set up enrollment centres in 31 countries of the world to cater for Nigerians in the Diaspora”, said in the joint statement.
” The unprecedented growth in the National Identity Database to over 71 million unique NINs in such a short period, with about three to four SIMs linked to a NIN, reflected the concerted effort of the Federal Government, the Nigerian populace and legal residents. This is truly commendable,” said the regulators.
“This extension would enable the Federal Government to consolidate the gains of the process and accelerate the enrolment of Nigerians in key areas like the remote areas, diaspora, schools, hospitals, worship centres, and the registration of legal residents,” the government stated.
In the same vein, Prof. Pantami implored Nigerians and legal residents to enrol for their NINs and link same with their SIMs during this period of extension as more services will be requiring the NINs for identification, going forward.
The Minister, in the statement, also reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to supporting the NCC and NIMC in ensuring that the objectives of the exercise are achieved for the country.
“The Honourable Minister, the Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, and the Director-General/CEO of NIMC, Engr. Aliyu A. Aziz, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, wish to thank all Nigerians and stakeholders for their commitment and support towards the success of the project,” said in the joint statement.
Pantami and the CEOs of agencies under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy also lauded the efforts of the respective staff for ensuring a seamless NIN-SIM linkage.
They urged the Nigerians and legal residents in the country to complete the process of enrollment, verification and NIN-SIM integration on or before Thursday, March 31, 2022.
