The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has set September 14, 2024, as the final deadline for citizens to link their Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) to National Identity Numbers (NIN).
This was confirmed in a statement on Wednesday.
“To ensure full compliance with the NIN-SIM linkage policy, the NCC has directed all Mobile Network Operators to complete the mandatory verification and linkage of SIMs to NINs by September 14, 2024.
“Effective September 15, 2024, the commission expects that no SIM operating in Nigeria will be without a valid NIN,” the NCC said in a statement signed by its Director, Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, on Wednesday.
Muoka explained that over 153 million SIMs have been successfully linked to a NIN, reflecting an impressive compliance rate of 96 per cent, a substantial increase from 69.7 per cent in January 2024.
“We urge all members of the public who have not yet completed their NIN-SIM linkage, or who have faced issues due to verification mismatches, to visit their service providers promptly to update their details before the deadline.
“Alternatively, the approved self-service portals are available for this purpose,” the statement added.
The NCC also stressed that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIMs are criminal offences punishable by imprisonment and fines.
