… As NIN Enrolment Hits 54m Mark
The Federal Government has approved the extension of the deadline for NIN-SIM data verification to the June 30, 2021.
The extension was as a result of the virtual meeting chaired by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, and attended by some key officials of the supervisory Agencies under the ministry. They include the Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof Adeolu Akande; the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NCC, Prof Umar Garba Dambatta; and the Director-General/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr Aliyu Azeez.
The postponement of the deadline was also based on the request by stakeholders for an extension till June 30 in order to make it easier for all citizens and legal residents to register.
A statement jointly signed by the Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde and the Head, Corporate Communications, NIMC, Mr Kayode Adegoke notes that significant progress has already been made in the NIN-SIM verification process as almost 54 million people have obtained their NIN, and this can translate to up to 190 Million mobile numbers, since empirical evidence suggests that each unique NIN maps to 3 to 4 phone lines.
In addition, the much-awaited Android enrolment system is now ready for deployment and this has the potential to significantly accelerate the speed and ease of enrolments.
Furthermore, the telecom providers and other enrolment agents have also opened several centres across the country to make it easier for eligible citizens and residents to obtain and link their NINs.
It is noteworthy that Sections 27 and 29 of the National Identity Management Commission Act 2007 provides for the mandatory use of National Identity Number for accessing several government services. This is similar to the use of Social Security Number and National Insurance Number for accessing services in the United States of America and the United Kingdom respectively.
Dr. Pantami, while thanking Nigerians for their patience and compliance with the directive on NIN-SIM registrationon exercise, noted that the Federal Government has approved the extension as part of its effort to make it easier for its citizens and residents to obtain the NIN and it is important to take advantage of the extension.
He again reiterated government’s commitment to continually take decisions aimed at easing the pains of the citizens with regard to issues related to NIN and SIM registration.
