…Says Compliance Rate Now Stands At 96%
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced September 14 as final deadline for telecom subscribers in the country to link their Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) to National Identity Numbers (NINs).
The industry regulator, in a statement issued by its Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Reuben Muoka, on Tuesday, recalled the significant progress in the Federal Government’s 2020 policy to link all SIMs to NINs.
According to him, to date, over 153 million SIMs have been successfully linked to a NIN, reflecting an impressive compliance rate of 96%, representing a significant increase from 69.7% in January 2024.
He stated that as all stakeholders in the telecom industry approach the final phase of this critical process, the commission solicited the continued cooperation of all Nigerians to achieve 100% compliance.
Muoka maintained that the complete linkage of all SIM cards to NINs remained essential for enhancing the trust and security of our digital economy, adding that by verifying all mobile users, this policy strengthens confidence in digital transactions, reduces the risk of fraud and cybercrime, and supports greater participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services as well in turn, promotes financial inclusion and drives economic growth.
He further clarified: “Through collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the NCC has uncovered alarming cases where individuals possessed an unusually high number of SIM cards—some exceeding 100,000. The Commission also remains committed to working with security agencies and other stakeholders to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs, thereby safeguarding national security and ensuring 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.
“Effective September 15, 2024, the Commission expects that no SIM operating in Nigeria will be without a valid NIN.
“We urge all members of the public who have not yet completed their NIN-SIM linkage, or who have faced issues due to verification mismatches, to visit their service providers promptly to update their details before the deadline. Alternatively, the approved self-service portals are available for this purpose”, the Director added.
The commission also reminded the public that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIMs remained criminal offences punishable by imprisonment and fines, and encouraged citizens to report any such activities to it via its toll-free line (622) or through our social media platforms.
The Commission also expressed its appreciation to the general public for its continued cooperation as we work together to strengthen Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
