The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has set September 14 as the final deadline for Nigerians to link their Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) with National Identity Numbers (NINs).
In a press release on Wednesday, signed by Reuben Muoka, the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, the Commission announced that 153 million SIMs have been successfully linked to NINs, reflecting a significant compliance rate of 96%, up from 69.7% in January 2024.
This achievement marks substantial progress in the Federal Government’s 2020 policy aimed at linking all SIM cards to NINs.
The NCC emphasised that the complete linkage of SIMs to NINs is crucial for bolstering the security and trust of Nigeria’s digital economy.
It enhances confidence in digital transactions, reduces the risk of fraud and cybercrime, and supports greater participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services, thus promoting financial inclusion and driving economic growth.
The statement also highlighted recent findings, including cases where individuals were found with unusually high numbers of SIM cards, some exceeding 100,000. The NCC, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), is addressing these issues and working to prevent the sale of pre-registered SIMs.
To ensure compliance with the NIN-SIM linkage policy, the NCC has instructed all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to complete the verification and linkage of SIMs to NINs by September 14, 2024. Starting September 15, 2024, it is expected that no SIM in Nigeria will operate without a valid NIN.
The NCC urges those who have not yet linked their NINs to their SIMs or have encountered verification issues to visit their service providers or use the approved self-service portals before the deadline. The public is reminded that buying or selling pre-registered SIMs is a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment and fines. Citizens are encouraged to report such activities via the Commission’s toll-free line (622) or through its social media platforms.
The NCC appreciates the public’s cooperation in strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem