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The Nigerian government has further extended the deadline for national identification number (NIN) and subscriber identity module (SIM) integration exercise to the 30th of June, 2021.
The extension followed a virtual meeting chaired by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami and attended by Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof Adeolu Akande, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NCC, Prof Umar Garba Dambatta and the Director-General/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Mr. Aliyu Azeez.
Government approved the extension in response to pleas by stakeholders including telecom operators and regulatory authorities.
A joint statement by Director of Public Affairs at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Ikechukwu Adinde and Head of Corporate Communications at the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC),Kayode Adegoke confirmed the development.
Meanwhile about 54 million Nigerians connected with some 190 million mobile numbers are done with their NIN-SIM data verification exercise.
Read excerpts of the statement below.
“The postponement of the deadline was also based on the request by stakeholders for an extension till 30th of June in order to make it easier for all citizens and legal residents to register.
“Significant progress has been made in the NIN-SIM verification process. For example, almost 54 million people have obtained their NIN and this can translate to up to 190 million mobile numbers, since empirical evidence suggests that each unique NIN maps to 3 to 4 phone lines.”
“The much awaited Android enrolment system is now ready for deployment and this has the potential to significantly accelerate the speed and ease of enrolments.
“Furthermore, the telecom providers and other enrolment agents have also opened several centres across the country to make it easier for eligible citizens and residents to obtain and link their NINs.
“The Federal Government has approved the extension as part of its effort to make it easier for its citizens and residents to obtain the NIN and it is important to take advantage of the extension.”
