Nigeria: Telecom Subscribers Urge FG to Extend SIM-NIN Deadline to April 30

Telecommunication subscribers are calling on the Federal Government to extend the deadline for blocking telephone lines without National Identity Numbers (NIN) and those with unverified NINs from February 28 to April 30. The subscribers argue that a two-month grace extension would provide ample time for more individuals to complete the necessary processes.

Adeolu Ogunbanjo, the President of the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, conveyed this request on Tuesday. This comes in response to a recent directive from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) instructing telecom operators to enforce full network barring on all SIMs without submitted NINs and those lacking verified NINs.

Ogunbanjo stated, “Well, they should at least look at it for one year. The NIN-SIM awareness has been all over, including JAMB, and BVN. I must say this time, there has been so much awareness about NIN. Let them make it when it is one year so that we know that one year was given to this SIM-NIN issue. The earlier they do it, the better.”

He emphasized that the association supports the policy as it is in the overall interest of Nigerians. He suggested an extension until April next year to ensure sufficient time and awareness.

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria disclosed that telecom operators received a directive dated December 15, 2023, from the NCC to implement full network barring on SIMs without NINs. The directive outlines specific deadlines for different scenarios, including barring SIMs linked to unverified NINs on or before February 28, 2024.

Telcos highlighted that affected subscribers must undergo biometric and biodata verification before their lines are unbarred. Despite the limited service restriction, millions of subscribers have yet to submit their NINs for verification.

The SIM-NIN harmonization program, initiated in December 2020, mandates all telecom subscribers to link their NINs to SIM registration records. The NCC’s directive is part of ongoing efforts to enforce compliance and enhance the National Identity Management System, promoting economic inclusion and government service access while addressing security concerns. The initial deadline for SIM-NIN compliance was April 4, 2022, affecting over 72.77 million active mobile subscriptions.