FG extend deadline for NIN-SIM registration

FG extend deadline for NIN-SIM registration

The federal government has relaxed the initial deadlines set for harmonization of telecoms Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) with National Identify Number (NIN) by Nigerians.

The National Task Force on National Identification Number (NIN) and Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) Registration met today, deliberate on the issue as arrive at some resolutions.

The meeting was chaired by Isa Pantami, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, with major stakeholders in the sector including Chairman-Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), NCC; and Director-General (DG), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

Other attendants are DG, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC); Executive Commissioner, Technical Services (ECTS), NCC; Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management (ECSM), NCC; Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON); Chief Executive Officers of MTN, Airtel, Ntel, Glo, Smile, and 9Moble in attendance.

According to statement co-signed by Umar Danbatta of NCC and Aliyu Aziz, NIMC DG, the government has granted a three-week extension for subscribers with NIN from 30th December, 2020 to 19th January, 2021.

NIMC, the custodian of NIN, has also provided strategies to enable citizens to attend the registration in full compliance with Covid-19 protocols – particularly the use of facemasks which remains mandatory and maintenance of social distancing.

In addition, “President appreciates Nigerians for their patience and commitment to update their Identities; The Federal Government also thanks all stakeholders for their compliance with the directives.

“Mr. President has also commended the efforts of the Task Force and urged all stakeholders to take advantage of the extension to link their SIM card with their NIN,” according to the statement made available to Business Metrics

The task force also resolved that Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) and verification charges remain suspended during these extensions.