TheCable

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it has received 47.8 million national identification numbers (NINs) from telecommunications companies to enable subscribers link their NIN with their SIM cards.

This was disclosed on Tuesday, in a statement signed by Ikechukwu Adinde, director of public affairs, NCC.

Isa Pantami, minister of communications and digital economy, had earlier directed all mobile network operators (MNOs) to provide valid NIN to update SIM registration records.

A two-week deadline was initially given, however, the federal government extended the deadline to January 19, 2021 for subscribers with NIN to link it their SIM cards and February 9, 2021 for those without NIN.

“So far, a total of 47.8 million NINs have been collected by the mobile operators. At an average of three to four SIMs per subscriber, this means many millions will be linked up before the deadline in February 2021,” NCC said.

According to the statement, Pantami expressed satisfaction with this achievement. He also expressed the federal government’s appreciation towards stakeholders and citizens for their commitments.

He urged those who are yet to link their NIN to their SIM cards to endeavour to do so before February 9, 2021.

He also urged the technical implementation committee under the ministerial (federal ministry of communication and digital economy) task force to fast-track the NIN-SIM linkage process so that the project is delivered “soonest”.

Pantami further said Nigerians should secure and protect their NINs and warned subscribers to desist from selling their NINs or allowing others to use their NINs for registration.

“For any action committed with the SIM, good or bad, it will be officially traced and attached to the NIN owner.”

NCC reiterated that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) app, ‘MWS: NIMC Mobile ID’, enables subscribers to link up to a maximum of seven SIMs to their NIN.