FG Extends Deadline Of NIN-SIM Integration By 8 Weeks

The Federal Government has extended the ongoing National Identity Number (NIN) and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) integration exercise by 8 weeks, with a new deadline of April 6, 2021.

According to a statement jointly signed by Director Public Affairs, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde and Head, Corporate Communications, National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Mr Kayode Adegoke, the extension was conveyed by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim during the meeting of the Ministerial Taskforce on NIN-SIM registration which held on Monday.

Dr Pantami stated that the extension is to give Nigerians and legal residents more time to integrate their NIN with the SIM.

“Each NIN is usually tied to an average of 3 to 4 SIMs and this infers that the current figure accounts for a significant portion of the existing SIMs.

“This number of NINs collected represents a significant increase when compared with the 47.8 million reported by the Technical Committee on January 18, 2021,” the Minister said.

Pantami further disclosed that over 1,060 registration centres for NIN have been activated and made operational by NIMC across the country, while Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have opened hundreds of centres and are rapidly deploying resources to open thousands of other NIN enrolment centres across states of the country.

This, he said is in line with the policy of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to enhance security and make the process of obtaining NINs easier for Nigerians.

Dr Pantami reiterated the need for Nigerians and legal residents who are yet to register for the NIN to be diligent and take advantage of the extension to enrol for their NIN and link with their SIMs.

The minister implores applicants to follow the safety guidelines at all the NIN enrolment centres and ensure compliance with the booking system in place.

This protocol is in line with the Executive Order on COVID-19 2020 signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on 27 January 2021, in keeping with the provisions of the Quarantine Act 2004.

It would be recalled that the exercise was earlier fixed for 9 February 2021 until the extension.

This came after the initial date of 4 February 2020 for the commencement of the National NIN-SIM Registration Policy.