NIN enrolments exceed 71m as FG extends NIN-SIM verification to 31st March 2022

NIN enrolments exceed 71m as FG extends NIN-SIM verification to 31st March 2022

The Nigerian government has announced that enrolment for National Identity Number in the country has exceeded 71 million as at end f December, 2021.

The federal government has also extended the initial 2021 yearend deadline for linking NINs issued with active subscribers identification modules (SIM) cards on the networks of telecoms operators in the country.

The two revelations were given in a press statement jointly signed by Ike Adinde, director of public affairs of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate communications at the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

In the statement, the Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami said the Federal Government has approved further extension of NIN-SIM data verification to March 31, 2022.

Speaking on the uptrend recorded in NIN enrolments, he said stakeholders have applauded government’s and its increased drive to enlighten Nigerians and legal residents across the country.

“As of 30th December 2021, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued over 71 million NINs with over 14,000 enrolment centres set up across the country,” he said.

Furthermore, the NIMC has also set up enrolment centres in over 31 countries to cater for Nigerians in the Diaspora.

The government explained that the unprecedented growth in the National Identity Database to over 71 million unique NINs in such a short period, with about 3 to 4 SIMs linked to a NIN, reflects the concerted effort of the Federal Government, the Nigerian populace and legal residents, adding that this this is truly commendable.

Stakeholders begged for extension

The FG said that its decisionto extend NIN-SIM linkage deadline till the end of first quarter of 2022 is a response to avalanche of appeals it received from Nigerian, legal residents and Nigerians in the diaspora.

Professor Isa Pantami

It stated that the 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 Honourable Minister has however implored Nigerians and legal residents to enrol for their NINs and link with their SIMs during this period of extension as more services will be requiring the NIN for identification.

He also reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to support the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in ensuring that the objectives of the exercise are achieved.

“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.

“They also applaud the efforts of the respective staff in ensuring a seamless NIN-SIM linkage and urge citizens and legal residents to complete the process of enrolment, verification, and SIM linkage on or before 31st March 2022,” The statement states.