News Highlights:
- The NCC has set a deadline of September 14, 2024, for all mobile users to link their SIMs to their NIN.
- The NCC emphasized the importance of the NIN-SIM linkage for improving digital security and reducing fraud and cybercrime.
The deadline set by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for all phone users in the country to comply with the requirement to link all Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) to National Identification Number (NIN) ends today, September 14, 2024.
Recall that the country’s telecom regulator had on August 28, 2024, announced that to ensure full compliance with the NIN-SIM linkage policy, it has directed all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to complete the mandatory verification and linkage of SIMs to NINs by September 14, 2024.
“Effective September 15, 2024, the Commission expects that no SIM operating in Nigeria will be without a valid NIN.
“We urge all members of the public who have not yet completed their NIN-SIM linkage, or who have faced issues due to verification mismatches, to visit their service providers promptly to update their details before the deadline. Alternatively, the approved self-service portals are available for this purpose.
“The NCC also reminds the public that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIMs are criminal offences punishable by imprisonment and fines. We encourage citizens to report any such activities to the Commission via our toll-free line (622) or through our social media platforms,” the NCC had said in a statement signed by its Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Reuben Muoka.
The NCC disclosed that over 153 million SIMs have been successfully linked to a NIN, reflecting an impressive compliance rate of 96 per cent, a substantial increase from 69.7 per cent in January 2024.
This the Commission said, marked a significant progress in the Federal Government’s 2020 policy to link all Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) to National Identity Numbers (NINs).
It said that as the country approaches the final phase of this critical process, it seeks the continued cooperation of all Nigerians to achieve 100 per cent compliance.
“The complete linkage of all SIM cards to NINs is essential for enhancing the trust and security of our digital economy.
“By verifying all mobile users, this policy strengthens confidence in digital transactions, reduces the risk of fraud and cybercrime, and supports greater participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services.
“This, in turn, promotes financial inclusion and drives economic growth,” the NCC noted in the statement.
The Commission stated that through collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), it has uncovered alarming cases where individuals possessed an unusually high number of SIM cards—some exceeding 100,000.
It reiterated its commitment to working with security agencies and other stakeholders to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs, thereby safeguarding national security and ensuring the integrity of mobile numbers in Nigeria.
Compulsory SIM registration began in Nigeria in December 2020, when the government ordered telecom operators to disable unregistered SIMs.
Since then, there has been a number of extensions, most recently to 31 July this year, as a large number of SIMs still required verification.