*Mobile operators in Nigeria have responded rapidly by putting in place the processes and infrastructure necessary to enable them incorporate existing National Identity Numbers (NINs) into the current SIM registration data and support subscriber enrolment into the National Identity database

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Following the recent the Nigerian Communications Commission’s  (NCC) directives regarding the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards registration process, the mobile operators in the country have responded rapidly by putting in place the processes and infrastructure necessary to enable them incorporate existing National Identity Numbers (NINs) into the current SIM registration data and support subscriber enrolment into the National Identity database.

Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman and Damian Udeh, Publicity Secretary of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), in a joint statement on suspension of SIM sale and activation, made available to ConsumerConnect said the association would continue to work closely with the government to deliver on the task ahead of us, and are committed to making the process as seamless as possible for all consumers.

The statement noted that the Chairman of ALTON, and the Chief Executive Officers  (CEOs) of MNO members of ALTON are part of a Ministerial Task Force “accountable for implementing the directives as we work together to find a sustainable solution to this national assignment.”

On licensing as NIN enrolment agents, ALTON stated that all MNOs have now received an enrolment and verification licence from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) or via the NCC, legally enabling them to verify NIN’s provided by customers and to enrol citizens into the NIN database.

As regards adding NINs to existing SIM registrations, the association said: “All operators have established various systems to enable subscribers with existing NINs to add their NIN’s to their SIM registration profile.

“Options deployed for customer ease and convenience include USSD strings, apps and other self-service online portals, walk-in stores and customer care lines.”

The statement further explained that it is important to note that the group does expect that when SIM registration details are verified against the NIN database, there are likely to be inconsistencies in some of the data captured.

Such inconsistencies, ALTON noted, include spelling, order or number of names captured, etc.”

“Where such inconsistencies are found, the operators will notify subscribers and provide a quick and easy mechanism to update SIM registration data and ensure alignment.”

Reassuring the authorities of support in making success of the exercise, the statement said to facilitate the validation, verification and enrolment processes, and having now been licenced by NIMC to provide those services, network operators have commenced the process of backend integration with NIMC’s database while increasing the capacity of the respective databases to enable more rapid validation and verification.

It also assured that in order to provide operational steer, representatives of NCC, NIMC, ALTON and MNOs “will also be meeting regularly to review progress, identify challenges, develop solutions and generally continue to enhance the process with a view to ensuring the safety, security and well-being of consumers while making significant progress towards our collective objective.”

ALTON as well commended the Federal Government on recently announced extension of the deadline for registration and reiterated its commitment to ensuring the maximum level of compliance possible within the set timeframe.

“We continue to seek your cooperation and understanding,” it added.