Nigeria extends NIN-SIM verification deadline to October 31

*The Federal Government extends the deadline to accommodate registration in hard-to-reach remote areas, foreigners and diplomatic missions, diaspora and address low enrolments in schools and hospitals

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Sequel to a request by stakeholders to accommodate registration in hard-to-reach remote areas, foreigners and diplomatic missions, and address low enrolments, the Federal Government has approved the extension of the deadline for National Identity Number (NIN)-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) data verification to Sunday, October 31, 2021.

The government disclosed that it made the decision to extend the deadline, following a request by stakeholders to accommodate registration in hard-to-reach remote areas, foreigners and diplomatic missions, diaspora and address low enrolments in schools and hospitals, as evidenced by enrolment statistics.

Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission, and Mr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, National Identity Management Commission, in a joint statement issued Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Abuja, FCT, said the Federal Government’s decision also followed a review of the progress of the exercise which indicated significant progress.

The statement noted that there is a need to consolidate the gains of the enrolment and NIN-SIM verification process across the country.

As of July 24, 2021, there are over 5,500 enrolment systems within and outside the country, and this would significantly ease the NIN enrolment process and subsequent linkage of NIN to SIM, the regulatory agencies stated.

The statement as well said that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the extension as part of efforts at making it easier for the citizenry within and outside the country and legal residents to obtain their NINs, noting that it is important to take advantage of the extension registration.

According to the government, the NIN-SIM linkage also makes it easier for the security agencies to perform their statutory duties, and the relevant parastatals under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy are supporting them as required.

There are now a total of 59.8 million unique NIN enrolments, with average of 3 to 4 SIMs per NIN, said the statement.

It is noted that with the great number of enrolment centres within and outside the country, and many more coming up, every citizen, legal resident, and Nigerian citizens living in the Diaspora should be able to obtain their NINs.

Meanwhile, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, PhD, FNCS, FBCS, FIIM, Honourable Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, on behalf of the Federal Government, commends the Kano State Government and other states of the Federation that have made NINs a key requirement for school enrolments and access to other important services.

The Federal Government is also excited at the news that the use of NIN in the process of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam significantly reduced the challenge of exam malpractice, said the agencies.

The Minister, on behalf of the Federal Government, equally appreciates Nigerians for their patience and compliance with the Federal Government’s directive on the NIN-SIM registration exercise.

Similarly, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman (EVC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and Engr. Aliyu Aziz, Director-General/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), National Identity Management Commission, urge citizens and legal residents to ensure that they take the opportunity to complete the process of enrolment and verification before the October 31 deadline, the statement added.