14-year jail for Nigerians without NIN - FG

The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, says Nigerians who fail to obtain National Identification Number (NIN) risk fine and 14-year imprisonment as stipulated by the Nigerian Constitution.

He said this Thursday while fielding questions at the sixth edition of the ministerial briefing organised by the Presidential Media Team at the State House, Abuja.

He said while 150 million Nigerians had completed registration, the remainders had problems of improper registration.

He ruled out any immediate plan to lift the ban on new subscriber identification module (SIM) registration for security reasons.

He said: “Criminals whether bandits, terrorists anywhere they are, they always exploit this sim and we don’t want to allow our platform for perpetration if criminality in our country. The ban on new sims remains in place for security reasons. We know this ban is painful but very necessary. In the past, sims registration process were compromised, most of the sims were improperly registered hence we’ve most of the sims used to commit crimes in the country.

“So, what we’re doing now is matching all the sims with NIN this has become necessary for security purposes. The ban may affect our economy, but when addressing the issue of security, the economy takes back stage.

“People used the biometrics of one person to register about 100 sims, after people are given money, this is even as some SIMs were improperly registered.

“This is one of the most difficult decisions taken as a Minister. It’s a very painful decision, but we had to take it.”

According to him, while obtaining a SIM card maybe optional, NIN is mandatory, citing section 27 of the NIMC Act of 2007.

He said it is a criminal offense in Nigeria to carry out business activities without first acquiring the NIN number.

“The NIMC Act clause 27 states that you need the NIN number for opening bank account, for insurance, land transactions , voters registration, Drivers Licenses.

“So, it’s an offense to transact any business activity without first having your NIN.”

He said some citizens would be encouraged to re-submit their biometric because of improper NIN registration.

The minister, while reacting to a question on whether the NIN registration would be extended, said recommendations at the end of a meeting of stakeholders scheduled for yesterday would be sent to President Muhammadu Buhari whom he said could act on the matter in his current base in London, the United Kingdom.

He said he would rather resign if he would not be able to enforce the law on NIN registration meant for the benefit of all Nigerians.