With the recent licence granted 173 firms and 30 state government institutions, Airtel Nigeria, forefront Mobile Network Operator and one of the licensees, has assured Nigerians of the speedy execution of the task ahead, with a guarantee that the stress being currently faced in the registration process will end.
In a message on his social media handle, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Airtel Nigeria, Emeka Oparah, noted that: “Airtel has commenced NIN enrolment in Abuja and Lagos. The footprint is going to expand rapidly in a few days. As usual, we will lead the way and do it the way it should be done.”
This assurance is coming on the heels of the recent approval by the federal government, granting licenses to 173 agent firms, 16 government institutions in different states, and 14 public institutions, to conduct enrolment of persons into the National Identity Database (NIDB) on behalf of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
A statement by Airtel indicates that residents of Abuja could now visit Transcorp Hilton situated in Mataima or Airtel showrooms at Carpet Plaza and Aminu Kano Crescent in Wuse 2. Those in Lagos could walk into Airtel Express Point, Oyin Jolayemi, Victoria Island or Airtel showroom in Adeniran Ogunsanya in Surulere.
Also Lagos residents can enrol at Airtel showrooms in Tejuosho, Yaba; Isheri Road, Ogba and Oba Akran, Ikeja.
According to the Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, the expansion of the NIN registration outlets affords Airtel the opportunity it had always sought to collaborate with the Nigerian government on initiatives that will make life easier and better for Nigerians.
While commending the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami for the partnership, Ogunsanya said: “As a law abiding and responsible corporate citizen, we are always ready to go extra mile for our esteemed stakeholders and that is why we are pleased to partner with the Federal Government and the National Identity Management Commission on citizens’ registration exercise.”
He reiterated that Airtel customers who already have NINs have the option to send their NINs to Airtel via USSD, SMS or through the Airtel Self Care app or website to update their SIM registration details.
The NIN registration is ongoing, and is being used to link subscribers SIM to the national data grid.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had earlier in a statement cited a recent survey conducted in Nigeria showing that on average, there are now approximately 4 to 5 SIMs to every human subscriber. “This explains the basis of allowing the linkage of up to 7 SIMs to 1 unique NIN in the recently launched Federal Government Portal,” it explained.
The NCC elaborated: “Thus, if there are 43 million Nigerians with NINs, this could account for about 172 million SIMs already linked to NINs.
The Commission went further of harp on the need for the exercise: “It is very important to emphasize that the current exercise of linking NIN to SIM(s) is for the common good of all Nigerians, as it has far reaching benefits.”
Apart from enhancing the general safety, the linking will help in such vital exercises like National Budgeting, Policy Planning, Social Intervention programs and many more.”
