FG Extends Deadline of NIN,SIM Integration, As 56million Now Registered

Again,the Federal Government announced fresh extension of the ongoing National Identification Number (NIN) and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) integration exercise by one month, to enable more Nigerians to get their identification numbers

Before the fresh extension, the excercise is expected to end by April 6, 2021 which was another extension from the initial extension from February.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Yisa Pantanmi announced the extension after last Monday's  meeting with Ministerial Taskforce on NIN-SIM registration 

The Minister made this known on Friday in a statement jointly signed by Director Public Affairs, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde and Head, Corporate Communications, National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Mr Kayode Adegoke.

Pantami says the extension is to give Nigerians and legal residents more time to integrate their NIN with the SIM.

The minister at the meeting revealed that a total of 56.18 million NINs had  so far been collected by mobile network operators

According to Pantanmi,“Each NIN is usually tied to an average of 3 to 4 SIMs and this infers that the current figure accounts for a significant portion of the existing SIMs"

“This number of NINs collected represents a significant increase when compared with the 47.8 million reported by the Technical Committee on January 18, 2021,” the Minister added 

The meeting presided over by the minister had in attendance  key stakeholders, including the EVC/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), DG/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), DG/CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON). 

The meeting also attracted the MD/CEOs of MTN, Airtel, 9Mobile, Ntel, Spectranet and SMILE, as well as the COO of Globacom

Pantami further disclosed that over 1,060 registration centres for NIN have been activated and made operational by NIMC across the country, while Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have opened hundreds of centres and are rapidly deploying resources to open thousands of other NIN enrolment centres across states of the country.

The minister says the extension is in line with the policy of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to enhance security and make the process of obtaining NINs easier for Nigerians.

Dr Pantami stressed the need for Nigerians and legal residents who are yet to register for the NIN to be diligent and take advantage of the extension to enrol for their NIN and link with their SIMs.

The minister enjoins applicants to follow the safety guidelines at all the NIN enrolment centres and ensure compliance with the booking system in place.