The Federal Government has again, extended the deadline for National Identity Number (NIN) link to Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) data verification to October 31 this year, even as it has been confirmed that about 60 million subscribers have so far been registered.
A statement today, July 25, by the chief spokesman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde said that the decision to extend the deadline was made following a request by stakeholders to accommodate registration in hard-to-reach remote areas, foreigners and diplomatic missions, diaspora and address low enrolments in schools and hospitals, as evidenced by enrolment statistics.
The decision, he added, also followed a review of the progress of the exercise which indicated significant progress, hence the need to consolidate the gains of the enrolment and NIN-SIM verification process across the country.
“As at July 24, 2021, there are over 5,500 enrolment systems within and outside the country and this would significantly ease the NIN enrolment process and subsequent linkage of NIN to SIM.
He said that the extension of the deadline by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is part of efforts to make it easier for the citizens within and outside the country, and legal residents to obtain the NIN, stressing that it is important to take advantage of the extension.
“The NIN-SIM linkage also makes it easier for the security agencies to carry out their statutory duties and the relevant parastatals under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy are supporting them as required.
“There are now a total of 59.8 million unique NIN enrolments, with average of 3 to 4 SIMs per NIN. With the great number of enrolment centres within and outside the country, and many more coming up, every citizen, legal resident, and Nigerian citizens living in diaspora should be able to obtain their NINs.”
Dr. Ikechukwu quoted the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami as having commended the Kano State government and other States that have made NINs a key requirement for school enrolments and access to other important services.
“The Federal Government is also excited at the news that the use of NIN in the process of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam significantly reduced the challenge of exam malpractice.
Dr. Ikechukwu also quoted the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, and the Director-General/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Aliyu Azeez, as calling on citizens and legal residents to make sure they use the opportunity to complete the process of enrolment and verification before the October 31 deadline.
