The federal government of Nigeria has extended the deadline to link the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) to the National Identification Number (NIN) of each citizen until March 31, 2022. Every mobile user is expected to link their SIM with NIN within the timeframe.
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued over 71 million NINs as of December 30, 2021, with more than 14,000 enrolment centres set up across the country.
NIN is used to verify the identity of a person. Services such as the National e-ID card, Health Insurance, Passport, Financial Transactions, Drivers' License and such are linked to NIN. Other services linked with NIN include Land registrations, Pension, registering for exams by professionals and students, etc.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr Isa Pantami, explained that the extension is to 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.
The disclosure, contained in a press statement jointly issued and signed by NCC’s Director, Public Affairs, Mr Ikechukwu Adinde, and Head, Corporate Communications, NIMC, Mr Kayode Adegoke, on December 31, 2021, stated that NIMC has also set up enrolment centres in over 31 countries to cater for Nigerians in the Diaspora.
It also stated that the stakeholders praised the federal government for the significant growth in the number of NIN enrolments and the increased drive to enlighten Nigerians and legal residents across the country.
The statement partly reads:
“The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) FBCS, FNCS, FIIM, wishes to convey the approval of the Federal Government to extend further the deadline for the National Identification Number (NIN)-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) data verification to March 31, 2022.’’
‘’As of December 30 2021, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued over seventy-one million (71m) NINs with over fourteen-thousand (14,000) enrolment centres set up across the country.’’
‘’Furthermore, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has also set up enrolment centres in over thirty-one (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 the Federal Government, of the Nigerian populace and of the legal residents and this is truly commendable.’’
‘’Following 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.’’
‘’The Honourable Minister has 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. He also reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to support the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in ensuring that the objectives of the exercise are achieved.’’
Source:
Comments