The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced September 14, 2024, as the final deadline for compliance with the Federal Government’s policy to link all Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) to National Identity Numbers (NINs).
The NCC revealed that over 153 million SIMs have been successfully linked to NINs, achieving an impressive 96 per cent compliance rate, up from 69.7 per cent in January 2024.
As the final phase of the NIN-SIM linkage process approaches, the NCC has urged all Nigerians to ensure their SIMs are linked to their NINs by September 14, 2024. The complete linkage is crucial for enhancing the security and trust of Nigeria’s digital economy. By verifying all mobile users, the policy aims to reduce the risk of fraud and cybercrime, boost confidence in digital transactions and support greater participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services. This effort is expected to promote financial inclusion and contribute to economic growth.
According to NCC’s director of public affairs, Reuben Muoka, the commission, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has uncovered alarming instances where individuals possessed over 100,000 SIM cards. The NCC remains committed to working with security agencies and other stakeholders to curb the sale of pre-registered SIMs, which pose significant risks to national security and the integrity of mobile numbers in Nigeria.
To ensure full compliance with the NIN-SIM linkage policy, the NCC has directed all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to complete the mandatory verification and linkage of SIMs to NINs by September 14, 2024. From September 15, 2024, no SIM in Nigeria will be allowed to operate without a valid NIN.
The NCC encourages all Nigerians who have not yet completed their NIN-SIM linkage or faced issues with verification mismatches to visit their service providers promptly or use the approved self-service portals to update their details before the deadline.
The commission reminded the public that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIMs are criminal offences punishable by imprisonment and fines. Citizens were urged to report any such activities to the NCC through its toll-free line (622) or via social media platforms.
The NCC thanked the public for its cooperation and participation in strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
