The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced September 14, 2024, as the final deadline for the completion of the Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) linkage to National Identity Numbers (NINs).
Effective September 15, 2024, no SIM card operating in Nigeria will be allowed to function without a valid NIN.
In a statement released on Wednesday, August 28, the NCC emphasized the urgency for all mobile phone users to ensure their SIMs are linked to their NINs before the deadline.
The statement, signed by the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, urged individuals who have yet to complete the process or who have encountered issues with verification mismatches to immediately visit their service providers to update their details.
According to the NCC, over 153 million SIMs have been successfully linked to NINs, achieving an impressive compliance rate of 96 percent, a significant increase from the 69.7 percent recorded in January 2024.
However, the Commission is pushing for full compliance by September 14, stressing the importance of this linkage for national security and the integrity of mobile communications in Nigeria.
The NCC also highlighted ongoing efforts to combat the sale of pre-registered SIMs, which it described as a significant threat to national security. The Commission warned that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIMs are criminal offenses punishable by imprisonment and fines.
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 possessed an unusually high number of SIM cards, with some cases exceeding 100,000 SIMs. The Commission is working closely with security agencies to crack down on these illegal activities.
The NCC called on the public to report any incidents involving the sale of pre-registered SIMs and reiterated the importance of full compliance with the NIN-SIM linkage policy.
The Commission also encouraged citizens to use approved self-service portals to facilitate the linkage process before the final deadline.
As Nigeria moves towards a fully integrated digital ecosystem, the NCC emphasized that the complete linkage of all SIMs to NINs is crucial for enhancing trust and security in the digital economy.
The Commission noted that this policy will help reduce fraud and cybercrime while supporting greater participation in digital banking, e-commerce, and mobile money services, ultimately promoting financial inclusion and economic growth.
The NCC expressed gratitude to the public for their cooperation and urged continued support in achieving the 100 percent compliance target by the September deadline.
