Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

In view of the pressing need for Nigerians to adhere to COVID-19 protocols as the country battles to contain the second wave of the pandemic, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has shut down its offices in Lagos State.

ConsumerConnect reports large crowds gathered there Monday, December 21, 2020, with a view to registering and obtaining the National Identity Numbers (NINs).

Kayode Adegoke, NIMC Spokesman, confirmed the development afternoon Monday, December 21, 2020, stated that the decision was taken towards adhering to COVID-19 protocols as the country battle against the second wave of the pandemic.

Crowds at NIMC Office for NIN Registration 

It is recalled that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) ordered telecommunications companies (telcos) in the country suspend phone subscribers who have no NINs within two weeks.

Subsequently, hundreds of Lagosians gathered at NIMC offices for their NIN registration Monday.

However, most of the people, who gathered at the NIMC office at Alausa, in Ikeja, and other parts of the state neither wore nose masks nor observe physical distancing, thereby flouting the essential Coronavirus prevention protocols by the Nigeria Cente for Disease Control (NCDC).

The NIMC spokesman did not respond to calls but he replied to a text message sent to his line by The Punch.

Adegoke wrote that “it was only shut down today in order to adhere to the COVID-19 pandemic safety protocol.

Enrollment would commence tomorrow, but applicants would be given a tally confirming date of enrolment.”