By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – The Federal Government has announced the extension of the deadline for linking of National Identification Number (NIN) and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) to June 30, 2021.
A statement co-signed by Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, and Head, Corporate Communications, National Identity Management Commission(NIMC), Mr Kayode Adegoke, conveyed the extension.
The statement explained that the upward movement of the deadline followed a decision taken at a virtual meeting chaired by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami and attended by Chairman of NCC, Prof Adeolu Akande; the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Dambatta and the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Aliyu Azeez.
It further said Pantami explained that the deadline extension was based on a request by stakeholders for an extension to June 30 in order to make it easier for all citizens and legal residents to register.
He said: “Significant progress has been made in the NIN-SIM verification process.
”For example, almost 54 Million people have obtained their NIN and this can translate to up to 190 Million mobile numbers, since empirical evidence suggests that each unique NIN maps to three to four phone lines,” Pantami said.
”Furthermore, the telecom providers and other enrolment agents have also opened several centres across the country to make it easier for eligible citizens and residents to obtain and link their NINs.
”It is noteworthy that Sections 27 and 29 of the National Identity Management Commission Act 2007 provides for the mandatory use of National Identity Number for accessing several government services.
”This is similar to the use of Social Security Number and National Insurance Number for accessing services in the United States of America and the United Kingdom respectively,” he said.
While appreciating Nigerians for their patience and compliance with the Federal Government’s directive on the NIN-SIM registration exercise, Pantami reiterated government’s commitment to easing the pains of the citizens with regard to issues related to NIN and SIM registration.
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