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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to complete the man¬datory verification and linkage of SIMs to NINs by September 14, 2024.
The NCC said with effective from September 15, 2024, the com¬mission expects that no SIM op¬erating in Nigeria will be without a valid NIN.
This was contained in a statement on Wednesday issued by Mr. Reuben Muoka, Director, Public Affairs in NCC.
The commission urged 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 NCC also reminds the public that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIMs are crimi¬nal offences punishable by impris¬onment and fines. We encourage citizens to report any such activi¬ties to the commission via our toll-free line (622) or through our social media platforms,” Muoka said.
The NCC also announced sig¬nificant progress in the Federal Government’s 2020 policy to link all Subscriber Identification Mod¬ules (SIMs) to National Identity Numbers (NINs).
He said till date, over 153 mil¬lion SIMs have been successfully linked to NIN, reflecting an im¬pressive compliance rate of 96 percent, a substantial increase from 69.7 percent in January 2024.
The statement said: “As we approach the final phase of this critical process, the NCC seeks the continued cooperation of all Nigerians to achieve 100 percent compliance.
“The complete linkage of all SIM cards to NINs is essential for enhancing the trust and security of our digital economy.
“By verifying all mobile us¬ers, this policy strengthens con¬fidence in digital transactions, reduces the risk of fraud and cybercrime, and supports great¬er participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile mon¬ey services.
“This, in turn, promotes finan¬cial inclusion and drives econom¬ic growth. Through collaboration with the Office of the National Se¬curity 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 re¬mains committed to working with security agencies and other stakeholders to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs, there¬by safeguarding national security and ensuring the integrity of mo¬bile numbers in Nigeria.
“The commission thanks the general public for its continued cooperation as we work together to strengthen Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.”
