Nigerian Government Sets September 14 Deadline for NIN-SIM Linkage
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has instructed all mobile network operators to complete the mandatory process of linking Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) to National Identification Numbers (NINs) by September 14.
Mr. Reuben Muoka, NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, announced this in a statement released on Wednesday in Abuja.
He explained that the directive is intended to ensure full compliance with the NIN-SIM linkage policy.
Muoka noted that significant progress has been made in the government’s initiative to link all SIMs to NINs, with over 153 million SIMs successfully linked since the exercise began.
He highlighted that this achievement represents a 96 percent compliance rate, a substantial increase from the 69.7 percent recorded in January.
“As we near the final phase of this critical process, the NCC urges the continued cooperation of all Nigerians to achieve 100 percent compliance,” Muoka stated.
He emphasized that fully linking all SIM cards to NINs is crucial for enhancing the trust and security of the nation’s digital economy.
“By verifying all mobile users, this policy bolsters confidence in digital transactions, reduces the risk of fraud and cybercrime, and supports broader participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services. This, in turn, promotes financial inclusion and drives economic growth,” he added.
Muoka also revealed that the NCC, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has uncovered alarming cases, including instances where individuals possessed an unusually high number of SIM cards, with some owning over 100,000.
“We remain committed to working with security agencies and other stakeholders to eliminate the sale of pre-registered SIMs. This effort is vital for safeguarding national security and ensuring the integrity of mobile numbers in Nigeria,” he concluded.
