The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has set September 14, 2024, as the final deadline for Nigerians to link their Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) with their National Identity Numbers (NINs).
In a statement released on Wednesday by Reuben Muoka, the Director of Public Affairs, the NCC emphasized the importance of this linkage, directing all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to complete the mandatory verification and linkage of SIMs to NINs by the stipulated deadline. The commission made it clear that starting from September 15, 2024, no SIM card in Nigeria should operate without a valid NIN.
Muoka highlighted the significant progress made so far, revealing that over 153 million SIMs have already been successfully linked to NINs. This reflects an impressive compliance rate of 96 percent, a substantial increase from the 69.7 percent reported in January 2024.
The NCC urged all individuals who have not yet completed the NIN-SIM linkage, or who have encountered issues due to verification mismatches, to visit their service providers promptly to update their details before the deadline. For added convenience, the commission also mentioned that approved self-service portals are available for this purpose.
Furthermore, the NCC warned that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIMs are criminal offenses punishable by imprisonment and fines. The commission stressed that full compliance with the NIN-SIM linkage policy is crucial for enhancing the trust and security of Nigeria’s digital economy.
As the final phase of this critical process approaches, the NCC called on all Nigerians to cooperate fully to achieve 100 percent compliance. According to the commission, the complete linkage of all SIM cards to NINs is essential for verifying mobile users, which in turn strengthens confidence in digital transactions, reduces the risk of fraud and cybercrime, and promotes greater participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services. These efforts contribute to financial inclusion and drive economic growth.
In collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the National Identity Management Commission, the NCC has uncovered alarming instances where individuals possessed an unusually high number of SIM cards, with some cases involving over 100,000 SIMs. The commission remains committed 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.
Source: punchng.com
