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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has set September 14, 2024, as the final deadline for the ongoing National Identity Number (NIN) and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) linkage exercise. This announcement was made in a statement released by the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Mouka, on Wednesday.
According to the NCC, over 153 million SIMs have already been successfully linked to NINs, leaving only about four percent of mobile users yet to comply with the directive. The commission has warned that failure to complete the linkage by the deadline will result in severe consequences, including the disconnection of mobile services.
The NCC stated, “To ensure full compliance with the NIN-SIM linkage policy, all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are required to complete the mandatory verification and linkage of SIMs to NINs by September 14, 2024. Effective September 15, 2024, no SIM operating in Nigeria should be without a valid NIN.”
The commission emphasized that the NIN-SIM linkage exercise is a critical initiative aimed at enhancing national security, improving the integrity of the mobile network, and curbing fraudulent activities. The NCC reassured the public of its commitment to working with security agencies and other stakeholders to eliminate the sale of pre-registered SIMs, which pose a threat to national security.
In collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the National Identity Management Commission, the NCC has uncovered cases of individuals possessing an alarmingly high number of SIM cards, with some exceeding 100,000. The commission reiterated that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIMs are criminal offenses punishable by imprisonment and fines. Citizens are encouraged to report such activities through the NCC’s toll-free line (622) or via social media platforms.
The NCC also urged subscribers to take advantage of the extended deadline to link their SIMs to their NINs, highlighting that the process is simple and accessible. The NIN-SIM linkage policy, introduced by the Nigerian government in 2020, is part of a broader effort to bolster national security and reduce fraudulent activities in the telecom sector.
Despite several deadline extensions, including the most recent extension to July 31, 2024, a significant number of SIMs remain unverified. The NCC had initially set April 15, 2024, as the deadline for barring subscribers with unverified NIN details. However, this deadline was extended to July 31, 2024, to provide consumers with additional time for verification, a move that led to widespread public dissatisfaction.
Following the extension, the NCC directed telecom operators to reactivate previously barred lines, allowing subscribers more time to complete the NIN verification process.
Financial results from the first half of 2024 indicate that major telecom operators, including MTN Nigeria and Airtel Africa, barred a combined total of 13.5 million lines as part of the NIN-SIM linkage exercise. MTN reported that it barred 8.6 million lines, while Airtel noted that it had verified 8.7 million customers, with 4.9 million customers still pending verification.
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