*The Federal Government has extended the National Identification Number and Subscriber Identity Module integration exercise deadline till April 6, as the mobile network operators collectively recorded a total of 56.18 million NINs in the country thus far

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The ongoing National Identification Number (NIN) and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) integration exercise has been extended by eight weeks, with a new deadline of April 6, 2021.

Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, FNCS, FBCS, FIIM, Honourable Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, disclosed this during the meeting of the Ministerial Taskforce on NIN-SIM registration Monday, February 1, 2021.

Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs​​​ of the Nigerian Communications Commission, and Mr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), said this in a joint statement issued in Abuja, FCT.

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

The meeting, chaired by the Minister, was attended by key stakeholders, including the Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Director-General/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Director-General/CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON).

Others include the Managing Director/CEOs of MTN, Airtel, 9Mobile, Ntel, Spectranet and SMILE, and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Globacom.

Report indicates that a total of 56.18 million NINs have been collected by the mobile network operators in the country thus far.

The statement noted each NIN is usually tied to an average of three to four SIMs.

This infers that the current figure accounts for a significant portion of the existing SIMs, noted the statement.

According to the Minister, this number of NINs collected represents a significant increase, compared with the 47.8 million reported by the Technical Committee January 18, 2021.

Furthermore, 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, according to the agencies.

It stressed the effort 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.

Meanwhile, the CEOs of telcos and Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Organisation of Nigeria (ALTON) commended the Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, for his stellar leadership and commitment to the rapid development of the sector in Nigeria.

Pantami reiterated 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 enroll for their NIN and link with their SIMs.

It is recalled that February 4, 2020, was initially slated for the commencement of the National NIN-SIM Registration Policy.

The Federal Government, therefore, applauds all Nigerians and persons of other nationalities for their understanding, cooperation and for enthusiastically participating in the exercise. The Minister also applauded the efforts of NIMC, NCC, MNOs, and all other relevant government and private sector organisations for their unflinching support for the success of the exercise.

Buhari has expressed his satisfaction with the progress made regarding the NIN-SIM linkage and commended the Honourable Minister and all stakeholders for their roles.

He encouraged citizens to take advantage of the extension to fully participate in the process.

The Minister as well implores applicants to follow the safety guidelines at all the NIN enrolment centres and ensure compliance with the booking system in place.

This protocol is in line with the Executive Order on COVID-19 2020, the President signed January 27, 2021, in keeping with the provisions of the Quarantine Act 2004.

It is noteworthy that Sections 27 and 29 of the National Identity Management Commission Act 2007 provides for the mandatory use of National Identity Number for transactions.

These the statement noted includes application and issuance of a passport, opening of personal bank accounts, purchase of insurance policies, voter registration, and obtaining credit among others.