A new deadline has been set for linking Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) to National Identity Numbers (NIN) in Nigeria – September 14, 2024. The country has made significant progress in implementing this policy over recent months.
Achievements
According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), over 153 million SIMs have been successfully linked to NINs, reflecting an impressive compliance rate of 96%, up from 69.7% in January 2024.
Call to Action
NCC urges all Nigerian residents who have not yet completed their SIM-NIN linkage or have faced issues due to verification mismatches to promptly visit their service providers or use the approved self-service portals. The Commission also expects all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to complete mandatory verification and linkage by September 14, 2024, ensuring full compliance with this policy.
Collaboration and Security
NCC states that verifying all mobile users strengthens trust in digital transactions, reduces the risk of fraud and cybercrime, and supports greater participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services. This, in turn, promotes financial inclusion and drives economic growth.
NCC continues to work with security agencies and other stakeholders to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs, ensuring national security and maintaining the integrity of mobile numbers in Nigeria.
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