FG finally ready to disconnect SIM cards without NINs

After repeatedly extending deadline for Nigerians to link their National Identity Numbers (NINs) to their Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards, the federal government has expressed intention to finally disconnect non-compliant citizens.

Harmonization of NINs and SIMs cards of Nigerian began in November 2020, following enforcement of the exercise championed by Isa Pantami, minister of communications and digital economy.

The government last approved an extension of deadline for the NIN-SIM linkage exercise with Thursday March 31st  2022 as the deadline.

Acting accordingly, Pantami on Thursday urged citizens and legal residents to use the next few days to ensure that they complete the linkage as the government, this time, is ready to punish non-compliance by disconnecting telephone lines.

To this end, the Honourable Minister further directed that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) offers enrolment services round-the-clock for the next few days.

The minister also appreciated all those who have completed their NIN-SIM linkage.

On behalf of the Honourable Minister, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, and the Director-General/CEO of NIMC, Engr. Aliyu Aziz, have also urged citizens and legal residents to take advantage of the window to complete the process of enrolment and verification within the next few days.