The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced that September 14, 2024, is the final deadline for all Nigerians to link their Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) to their National Identity Numbers (NINs).
This directive comes as part of the Federal Government’s 2020 policy aimed at enhancing national security and improving the integrity of Nigeria’s digital economy.
To date, over 153 million SIMs have been successfully linked to NINs, resulting in a compliance rate of 96%, a significant improvement from the 69.7% reported in January 2024.
As the deadline approaches, the NCC has called for continued cooperation from all Nigerians to achieve 100% compliance.
The Commission emphasized that linking all SIM cards to NINs is crucial for boosting trust in digital transactions, reducing fraud and cybercrime, and promoting broader participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services. This initiative is also expected to enhance financial inclusion and drive economic growth across the country.
The NCC, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has identified concerning cases where individuals possess an unusually high number of SIM cards, with some holding over 100,000.
In response, the NCC is committed to working with security agencies and other stakeholders to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs, which pose a significant risk to national security and the integrity of mobile numbers in Nigeria.
To ensure full compliance with the NIN-SIM linkage policy, the NCC has directed all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to complete the verification and linkage process by September 14, 2024. As of September 15, 2024, the Commission mandates that no SIM card operating in Nigeria will be allowed to function without a valid NIN.
The NCC has urged members of the public who have not yet completed their NIN-SIM linkage or who have faced verification issues to promptly visit their service providers to update their details before the deadline. Alternatively, approved self-service portals are available for those who wish to complete the process independently.
Furthermore, the NCC has reminded the public that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIMs are criminal offenses punishable by imprisonment and fines.
The Commission encourages citizens to report any such activities via their toll-free line (622) or through its social media platforms.
