The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a directive to all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to finalize the mandatory verification and linkage of Subscriber Identification Modules (SIM) to National Identity Numbers (NINs) by September 14, 2024.
This directive was revealed in a statement signed by Mr. Reuben Muoka, the Director of Public Affairs at the NCC, on Wednesday.
Effective September 15, 2024, the NCC expects that no SIM operating in Nigeria will be without a valid NIN. “We urge all members of the public who have not yet completed their NIN-SIM linkage, or who have faced issues due to verification mismatches, to visit their service providers promptly to update their details before the deadline,” the commission advised.
The NCC emphasized that the directive is part of its ongoing efforts to ensure full compliance with the NIN-SIM linkage policy introduced by the Federal Government in 2020.
According to the commission, significant progress has already been made in this area, with over 153 million SIMs successfully linked to their respective NINs, reflecting a compliance rate of 96 percent, a considerable increase from 69.7 percent in January 2024.
In the statement, the NCC urges all Nigerians to cooperate fully to achieve 100 percent compliance. “The complete linkage of all SIM cards to NINs is essential for enhancing the trust and security of our digital economy,” the statement read.
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The commission further explained that by verifying all mobile users, the policy strengthens confidence in digital transactions, reduces the risk of fraud and cybercrime, and supports greater participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services. “This, in turn, promotes financial inclusion and drives economic growth,” it added.
The NCC also highlighted the collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), which led to the discovery of alarming cases where individuals possessed an unusually high number of SIM cards, some exceeding 100,000.
The commission reiterated its commitment to working closely with security agencies and other stakeholders to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs, a practice that poses a threat to national security.
The NCC also reminded the public that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIMs are criminal offenses punishable by imprisonment and fines, urging citizens to report any such activities via the commission’s toll-free line (622) or through their social media platforms.
