Maryam Aminu
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced that the final deadline for the linkage of Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) to National Identity Numbers (NINs) is set for September 14, 2024.
This follows significant progress in the Federal Government’s 2020 policy to link all SIMs to NINs, with over 153 million SIMs already successfully linked, achieving a compliance rate of 96%, up from 69.7% in January 2024.
The NCC has called for the continued cooperation of all Nigerians to reach 100% compliance in the final phase of this critical process.
The Commission emphasized that the full linkage of all SIM cards to NINs is vital for enhancing the security and trust of Nigeria’s digital economy.
“By ensuring all mobile users are verified, this policy is expected to strengthen confidence in digital transactions, reduce fraud and cybercrime, and encourage broader participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services. This will, in turn, promote financial inclusion and contribute to economic growth.”
In collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the NCC has uncovered cases where individuals have possessed an unusually high number of SIM cards—some exceeding 100,000.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to working with security agencies and other stakeholders to combat the sale of pre-registered SIMs, safeguarding national security and ensuring the integrity of mobile numbers in Nigeria.
The NCC has directed all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to complete the mandatory verification and linkage of SIMs to NINs by September 14, 2024.
Starting from September 15, 2024, the Commission expects that no SIM operating in Nigeria will be without a valid NIN.
The Commission urges all members of the public who have not yet completed their NIN-SIM linkage, or those experiencing issues due to verification mismatches, to visit their service providers promptly to update their details before the deadline.
Approved self-service portals are also available for this purpose.
The NCC also reminds the public that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIMs are criminal offences punishable by imprisonment and fines.
Citizens are encouraged to report any such activities to the Commission via its toll-free line (622) or through its social media platforms.
The NCC expressed gratitude to the public for its continued cooperation in strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
Africa Security Investigation News 