Again, the Federal Government has further extended the deadline for the National Identification Number (NIN) – Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) data verification to the March 31, 2022.
Government’s decision was conveyed by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, who said sequel to the request by stakeholders (including citizens, legal residents and Nigerians in the diaspora), the Federal Government has extended the deadline of the exercise to March 31, 2022. This extension would enable the Federal Government to consolidate the gains of the process and accelerate the enrolment of Nigerians in key areas like the remote areas, diaspora, schools, hospitals, worship centres and the registration of legal residents.
He, however, implored Nigerians and legal residents to enrol for their NINs and link with their SIMs during this period of extension, as more services will be requiring the NIN for identification. Also, he reiterated government’s commitment to support the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in ensuring that the objectives of the exercise are achieved.
Stakeholders in the sector have applauded the Federal Government on the significant growth in the number of NIN enrolments and the increased drive to enlighten Nigerians and legal residents across the country. As of December 30, 2021, the NIMC has issued over 71 million NINs with over 14,000 enrolment centres set up across the country.
Furthermore, the commission has also set up enrolment centres in over 31 countries, to cater for Nigerians in the Diaspora. The unprecedented growth in the National Identity Database to over 71 million unique NINs in such a short period, with about 3 to 4 SIMs linked to a NIN, reflects the concerted effort of government, the Nigerian populace and legal residents and this is truly commendable.
The minister, the executive vice- chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta and the director-general, NIMC, Engr. Aliyu Aziz, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, thanked all Nigerians and stakeholders for their commitment and support towards the success of the project.
A statement jointly co-signed by the NCC’s director of public affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde and NIMC’s head of corporate communications, Mr. Kayode Adegoke, also applauded the efforts of the respective staff in ensuring a seamless NIN-SIM linkage and urged citizens and legal residents to complete the process of enrolment, verification and SIM linkage on or before March 31, 2022.
