The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced September 14, 2024, as the final deadline for Nigerians to link their subscriber identification modules (SIMs) to their national identity numbers (NINs). The directive was issued as part of the commission’s ongoing efforts to ensure full compliance with the NIN-SIM linkage policy.
In a statement released on Wednesday by Reuben Muoka, the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, the commission instructed all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to complete the mandatory verification and linkage process by the specified date. “Effective September 15, 2024, the commission expects that no SIM operating in Nigeria will be without a valid NIN,” the statement read.
Muoka highlighted the progress made so far, revealing that over 153 million SIMs have already been successfully linked to NINs, reflecting a compliance rate of 96%. This marks a significant increase from the 69.7% compliance rate recorded in January 2024.
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The NCC urged Nigerians who have not yet completed the NIN-SIM linkage or who have encountered issues due to verification mismatches to promptly visit their service providers to update their details before the deadline. Alternatively, the public is encouraged to use the approved self-service portals for this purpose.
The commission also reiterated that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIMs are criminal offenses punishable by imprisonment and fines. “As we approach the final phase of this critical process, the NCC seeks the continued cooperation of all Nigerians to achieve 100% compliance,” the statement emphasized.
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The NCC stressed that the complete linkage of all SIM cards to NINs is crucial for enhancing trust and security in Nigeria’s digital economy. By ensuring that all mobile users are verified, the policy aims to strengthen confidence in digital transactions, reduce the risk of fraud and cybercrime, and support greater participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services. These efforts are expected to promote financial inclusion and drive economic growth.
Additionally, the NCC, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the National Identity Management Commission, has uncovered alarming cases where individuals possessed an unusually high number of SIM cards—some exceeding 100,000. The commission remains committed to working with security agencies and other stakeholders to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs, thereby safeguarding national security and ensuring the integrity of mobile numbers in Nigeria.