The Nigerian Communications Commission has announced a final deadline for all telephone users and operators in Nigeria to comply with the country’s National Identity Number and SIM card linkage policy.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the NCC directed all Mobile Network Operators 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,” said Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at the Commission.
The NCC urged people who have not yet linked their NIN to their SIM or 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,” Muoka added.
According to the NCC, significant progress has been made in the Federal Government’s 2020 policy to link all Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) to NINs. So far, over 153 million SIMs have been linked, showing a compliance rate of 96 percent, a significant increase from 69.7 percent in January 2024.
The Commission emphasized that achieving 100 percent compliance is crucial for enhancing the trust and security of Nigeria’s digital economy. “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,” the statement read.
The NCC, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the National Identity Management Commission, uncovered cases where individuals had an unusually high number of SIM cards, some exceeding 100,000. The Commission also stated that it is working with security agencies to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs to protect national security.
The NCC reminded the public that selling or buying pre-registered SIMs is a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment and fines. The Commission urged citizens to report such activities through its toll-free line or social media platforms.
The NCC expressed its gratitude to the public for their cooperation in strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
