FG extends NIN-SIM verification, links 190m SIMs

The federal government has again approved the extension of the deadline for NIN-SIM data verification to June 30, 2021.

The extension came after the virtual meeting chaired by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami on Monday, the spokespersons of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Ikechukwu Adinde and Kayode Adegoke said in a joint statement on Tuesday.

The postponement of the deadline was also based on the request by stakeholders for an extension till June 30 in order to make it easier for all citizens and legal residents to register, the statement added.

“Significant progress has been made in the NIN-SIM verification process. For example, almost 54 million people have obtained their NIN and this can translate to up to 190 million mobile numbers since empirical evidence suggests that each unique NIN maps to three to four phone lines. The muchawaited Android enrolment system is now ready for deployment and this has the potential to significantly accelerate the speed and ease of enrolments”, the statement said.

The federal government said it approved the extension as part of its effort to make it easier for its citizens and residents to obtain the NIN “and it is important to take advantage of the extension”.

Chairman of NCC, Prof Adeolu Akande, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NCC, Prof Umar Garba Dambatta and the Director-General/ CEO of NIMC, Engr Aliyu Azeez attended the virtual meeting chaired by the minister.