The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has set September 14 as the final date for linking National Identity Numbers and Subscriber Identity Modules (NIN-SIM).
Dr. Reuben Muoka, the NCC’s director of public affairs, revealed this in an Abuja statement on Wednesday. He characterized it as a major advancement toward the federal government’s 2020 policy to link every NIN-SIM in the nation.
About 153 million SIM cards have been successfully linked to a NIN as of this writing, according to Mr. Muoka. This is an amazing 96% compliance rate, he added, and a significant increase from 69.7% in January 2024.
In addition, their Twitter page mentions
To achieve 100% compliance as we near the end of this crucial process, the NCC is requesting the ongoing cooperation of all Nigerians
To improve the security and confidence of our digital economy, all SIM cards must be fully linked to NINs. To guarantee the security and integrity of our digital communications, we must all cooperate.
This policy encourages more involvement in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services by strengthening trust in digital transactions and lowering the risk of fraud and cybercrime through the verification of all mobile users.
The Nigerian National Commission on Communications (NCC) has uncovered alarming cases of individuals possessing an unusually high number of SIM cards, some exceeding 100,000. The NCC is committed to working with security agencies and stakeholders to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs, safeguarding national security and ensuring mobile number integrity in Nigeria. To ensure full compliance with the NIN-SIM linkage policy, the NCC has directed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to complete the mandatory verification and linkage of SIMs to NINs by September 14, 2024.
The Nigerian National Communications Commission (NCC) has announced that from September 15, 2024, all SIMs in Nigeria will require a valid NIN. The NCC has urged those who haven’t completed their NIN-SIM linkage or have encountered verification mismatches to visit their service providers and update their details before the deadline.
They also emphasized that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIMs are criminal offenses, punishable by imprisonment and fines. Citizens are encouraged to report any such activities to the Commission via their toll-free line (622) or social media platforms.
He said, “As we collaborate to strengthen Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, the Commission thanks the general public for its ongoing cooperation.” It is important for individuals to take proactive steps to ensure compliance with regulations and avoid any legal repercussions. By working together, we can help create a safer and more secure digital environment for all Nigerians.
