The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has officially announced September 14, 2024, as the final deadline for the mandatory linkage of Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) to National Identity Numbers (NINs). This announcement was made in a statement released by Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at the NCC.
The statement highlighted the significant progress made in implementing the Federal Government’s 2020 policy, aimed at enhancing the security and trust of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. According to the NCC, over 153 million SIMs have been successfully linked to NINs, marking a remarkable 96 per cent compliance rate. This represents a substantial increase from the 69.7 per cent compliance rate recorded in January 2024.
“The Nigerian Communications Commission is pleased to announce significant progress in the Federal Government’s policy to link all SIMs to NINs,” Muoka stated. “We are now entering the final phase of this critical process, and we urge the continued cooperation of all Nigerians to achieve 100 per cent compliance.”
Muoka emphasized the importance of the NIN-SIM linkage, noting that it is essential for bolstering the security of Nigeria’s digital economy. The linkage process is crucial for verifying the identities of all mobile users, which, in turn, strengthens confidence in digital transactions, reduces the risk of fraud and cybercrime, and supports broader participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services. This initiative is also expected to promote financial inclusion and drive economic growth across the country.
The NCC, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has uncovered alarming cases where individuals were found to possess an unusually high number of SIM cards, with some owning more than 100,000. The Commission is committed to working closely with security agencies and other stakeholders to clamp down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs, a practice that undermines national security and 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. The Commission has made it clear that from September 15, 2024, no SIM operating in Nigeria should be without a valid NIN.
“We urge all members of the public who have not yet completed their NIN-SIM linkage or have faced issues due to verification mismatches to visit their service providers promptly to update their details before the deadline,” Muoka said. He also reminded the public that approved self-service portals are available for this purpose.
The NCC reiterated that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIMs are criminal offences punishable by imprisonment and fines. The public is encouraged to report any such activities to the Commission via the toll-free line (622) or through the NCC’s social media platforms.
In conclusion, the Commission expressed its gratitude to the general public for their continued cooperation as the NCC works to strengthen Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
