*The Nigerian Communications Commission sensitises and informs telecoms consumers that the National Identification Number (NIN) and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) linkage exercise will significantly enhance national security as the former is the primary identity for Nigerians

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

As the deadline for linking Nigerians鈥� Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards with their National Identity Numbers (NINs) draws to a close October 31, 2021, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reminded and urged subscribers that the cutoff date remains unchanged.

绿帽献妻 reports the country鈥檚 telecoms sector regulator said that relevant authorities would also deny any Nigerians without NINs the opportunity of acquiring driving licences and international passports henceforth.

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Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, disclosed this development via a statement issued Wednesday, September 29, 2021, and titled 鈥楴IN-SIM Integration: NCC sensitises telecoms consumers on October 31 Deadline鈥�.

Mobile telecoms consumers

The Commission also sensitised telecoms consumers through the NCC Digital Signature (NDS) radio programme, which transmitted the second episode of Telecoms Consumer Town Hall on Radio (TCTHR) live on a radio station in Lagos to discuss benefits of NIN-SIM integration.

In the studio during the TCTHR programme were representatives of the NCC, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and officials of telecoms operators. The live, phone-in programme provided an opportunity for listeners to call and get clarifications on concerns and issues around NIN-SIM integration exercise in the country.

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Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, while speaking during the live programme, advised Nigerian consumers to make use of the extension of the NIN-SIM integration exercise to October 31 to enrol with NIMC, get their NINs and link them to their SIMs.

Government’s denial of essential services to Nigerian consumers without NINs

Adinde stated: 鈥淪oon, people without NIN will be denied of necessary services that play vital roles in their lives including acquisition of drivers鈥� licences, international passports.鈥�

RELATED: Nigeria Extends NIN-SIM Verification Deadline To October 31

In regard to the benefits of the NIN-SIM integration in Nigeria, the NCC Director of Public Affairs said the exercise would significantly enhance national security as NIN is the primary identity for Nigerians.

According to him, in line with the Federal Government鈥檚 commitment to ensuring that Nigeria deploys technology to improve service delivery, the NIN-SIM database will enhance citizens鈥� access to government services.

Similarly, Mr. Efosa Idehen, Director of Consumer Affairs Bureau (CAB) of NCC, disclosed that most Nigerians are still using SIMs without unique identification.

Edehen noted that such citizens were yet to link their NINs to their SIMs, as he pointed out that 鈥渢hose SIMs without unique identification could be used to commit crimes that remain untraceable.鈥�

When explaining that security should be the responsibility of all citizens and not be left in the hands of government alone, the NCC Director of Consumer Affairs Bureau urged telecoms consumers to take advantage of the new October 31 deadline to enrol with NIMC, get their NINs and link same with their SIMs to avoid denial of essential services in future.

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In her contribution to the programme, Funmi Opesanwo, Regional Director of NIMC, in Lagos, also stressed that submission of NIN to a mobile network provider helps in providing a means of verifying an individual’s identity and safeguarding both identity and mobile line.

Opesanwo noted the NIN will become the first layer of verifying everything about a citizen.

She stated that other relevant databases in other sectors of the Nigerian economy are being integrated into the NIMC database for proper harmonisation.

The NIMC Director said: 鈥淔or instance, Bank Verification Number (BVN) is being harmonised with NIMC database.

鈥淭herefore, BVN holders have automatically been allocated NINs, and we advise BVN holders to dial *346# with the mobile number linked to BVN to confirm their integration.鈥� She, however, stated that 鈥淣INs generated via BVN must be verified and validated by NIMC through proper registration and biometrics capture at an enrollment centre.鈥�

Representatives of telecoms companies, including Globacom, MTN, Airtel and 9mobile, who attended the programme also answered series of questions from the consumers on the phone-in programme.

The statement added the TCTHR is a consumer outreach programme of the NCC previously held in semi-urban areas, but now modified to be radio-based, in order to reach every telecoms consumer.

It is also said to be part of the Commission鈥檚 response to the Federal Government鈥檚 efforts at containing the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The regulatory Commission noted the first episode of the programme, aimed at empowering consumers through information sharing, education and protection initiatives, held August 2021, in Kano, on NCC Digital Signature.

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