The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced the final deadline for all Nigerians to comply with the National Identity Number (NIN) and Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) linkage policy, setting September 14, 2024, as the cut-off date.
The policy, which has seen over 153 million SIMs successfully linked to NINs, reflects a 96% compliance rate, a significant jump from 69.7% in January 2024.
Reuben Muoka, the Director of Public Affairs at the NCC, emphasized the importance of this initiative in enhancing the trust and security of Nigeria’s digital economy.
“The complete linkage of all SIM cards to NINs is essential for building confidence in digital transactions, reducing the risk of fraud and cybercrime, and promoting greater participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services,” Muoka stated.
As the deadline approaches, the NCC, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has identified alarming instances where individuals were found possessing an unusually high number of SIM cards, some exceeding 100,000.
The Commission also reiterated its commitment to working with security agencies to eliminate the sale of pre-registered SIMs, which poses a threat to national security.
The NCC has directed all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to ensure that the mandatory verification and linkage of SIMs to NINs are completed by September 14, 2024. From September 15, 2024, any SIM operating in Nigeria without a valid NIN will be deactivated.
Nigerians who have not yet completed their NIN-SIM linkage or have faced issues with verification are urged to visit their service providers or use the approved self-service portals to update their details before the deadline.
The Commission also warned that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIMs are criminal offences punishable by law and encouraged the public to report any such activities via their toll-free line (622) or through social media.
The NCC thanked the public for their cooperation as the nation works to strengthen its digital ecosystem.
