TheCable

9mobile, telecommunication company, has announced the commencement of free national identity number (NIN) registration at its experience centres in Lagos and Abuja.

The registration became mandatory following federal government’s directive asking telcos to block sim cards which are not linked to NIN.

In a statement on Wednesday, the company said Nigerians can now visit some of its experience centres to register for free.

It identified centres where customers can visit to include the 43, Adeola Odeku, Victoria Island; 31, Marina Road, Marina and 23 Road by 402 junction, Festac Town, all in Lagos.

The two Abuja experience centres are 8, Kikuyu close, off Aminu Kano, and Plot 1774, Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, both in Wuse 2.

The company said subscribers do not need to queue for their NIN registration or expose themselves to the risk of the ongoing pandemic.

Commenting on the development, Stjepan Udovicic, 9mobile chief commercial officer, said said the company was concerned about the large number of people clustering at NIMC centres.

“As Nigeria’s customer-centric telco, we understand the pressures Nigerians are going through in trying to obtain a valid NIN and link it to their SIMs and the possible exposure to Covid-19 in the process. So, we took this opportunity to collaborate with regulators in making the exercise easier and safer for our customers,” he said.

He said the free physical registration at the designated centres will follow all COVID-19 protocols.