Over 156 million subscribers yet to submit NINs to telcos – FG
Following the expiration of the deadline given by the Federal Government for mobile subscribers to submit their National Identification Numbers (NIN) to network providers for linkage with their SIM cards, over 156 million subscribers failed to meet the government’s ultimatum.
Recall that the Federal Government had issued a December, 31, 2020 deadline for mobile phone subscribers to link their lines with NIN or risk their lines being blocked at the expiration of the deadline.. Following public outcry, the deadline was extended till January,19, 2021, to allow Nigerians link their SIM cards with NIN. A new deadline of February,9, 2021 was also given to subscribers without NIN. Despite the extension, only about 23.4% of the active telecom subscribers have been able to submit their NINs for their telcos for linkage to their NIN.
The Minister of Communications and Digital economy, Dr. Isa Pantami has, however, expressed optimism of having most subscribers meet the deadline, noting that the commitment demonstrated by all stakeholders and citizens is commendable. He urged subscribers yet to submit their NINs to do so before February, 9, 2021.
In a statement issued by the Director Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission(NCC) Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, the minister noted that only 47.8m subscribers have submitted their NINs as at the January 19 deadline, with over 156 million subscribers out of the 204 million active telecoms subscribers in Nigeria yet to submit their NIN for linkage.
“So far a total of 47.8 million NINs have been collected by the mobile operators. At an average of three to four SIMs per subscriber, this means many millions will be linked before the deadline in February, 2021.”
Pantami urged the technical team to fast-track the processes so that the project would be delivered very quickly. With the level of compliance so far, NCC noted that NIN submission will continue after the initial deadline of January, 19, 2021.
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