*The Nigerian Communications Commission reminds consumers of the need to complete their National Identity Numbers (NINs) and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Cards integration by Thursday, March 31 deadline听

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

Ahead of the March 31, 2022, deadline for the exercise across the West African country, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reminded the consumers to complete the integration of their National Identity Numbers (NINs) with Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Cards.

绿帽献妻 reports the telecoms sector regulatory Commission, in a public notice via one of its social media tools, advised Nigerians to do their NIN-SIM integration as the exercise 鈥渆nds on the 31st of March, 2022.鈥�

Nigerians at NIN registration centres听

The NCC said: 鈥淚f you have not linked your NIN to your SIM, hurry up and do so before the deadline.鈥�

RELATED: Nigeria Extends NIN-SIM Verification To March 31, 2022 As NIN Enrollments Exceed 71million

It is recalled the Federal Government late December 2021 had extended the deadline for the NIN-SIM data verification to March 31 this year, and urges Nigerians and legal residents to complete the process of enrollment, verification and NIN-SIM integration on or before the new date.

Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), FBCS, FNCS, FIIM, Honourable Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, same December 31 conveyed the Federal Government鈥檚 approval for the latest extension of the deadline for the exercise.

Why extension of NIN-SIM integration to March 31 鈹�Regulators

Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs at the NCC, and Mr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), in a joint statement issued in Abuja said the stakeholders applauded the Federal Government for the significant growth in the number of NIN enrollments, and the increased drive to enlighten Nigerians and legal residents in the country.

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The regulatory authorities also indicated that as of December 30, 2021, the National Identity Management Commission had issued over 71million NINs with 14,000 enrollment centres set up across Nigeria.

Dr. Adinde and Mr. Adegoke further disclosed that NIMC had set up enrollment centres in 31 countries of the world to cater for Nigerians in the Diaspora.

According to the regulators, the unprecedented growth in the National Identity Database to over 71 million unique NINs in such a short period, with about three to four SIMs linked to a NIN, reflected the concerted effort of the Federal Government, the Nigerian populace and legal residents.

READ ALSO: Stakeholders Highlight Role Of Telecoms Firms In Identity Management, Nigeria Digital Economy

鈥淭his is truly commendable,鈥� said the regulators.

They also stated that in view of the request by stakeholders, including citizens, legal residents and Nigerians in the Diaspora, the Federal Government has extended the deadline of the exercise to March 31 next year.

鈥淭his extension would enable the Federal Government to consolidate the gains of the process and accelerate the enrolment of Nigerians in key areas like the remote areas, diaspora, schools, hospitals, worship centres, and the registration of legal residents,鈥� the government stated.

READ ALSO Special Report: NCC, Stakeholders鈥� Conversations On Benefits Of NIN-SIM Integration At 3rd TCTHR

Likewise, Prof. Pantami implored Nigerians and legal residents to enrol for their NINs and link same with their SIMs during this period of extension as more services will be requiring the NINs for identification, going forward.

The Minister, in the statement, also reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to supporting the NCC and NIMC in ensuring that the objectives of the exercise are achieved for the country.

鈥淭he Honourable Minister, the Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, and the Director-General/CEO of NIMC, Engr. Aliyu A. Aziz, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, wish to thank all Nigerians and stakeholders for their commitment and support towards the success of the project,鈥� said Adinde and Adegoke.

RELATED: NCC Warns Telecoms Consumers Against Linking Their NINs To Other Subscribers鈥� SIM Cards

Pantami and the CEOs of agencies under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy also commended the efforts of the respective staff for ensuring a seamless NIN-SIM linkage.

They urged the Nigerians and legal residents in the country to complete the process of enrollment, verification and NIN-SIM integration on or before Thursday, March 31, 2022.

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