The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has set a new deadline of September 14, 2024, for the obligation to link Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) with National Identification Numbers (NINs). Currently, 66.01 million lines are at risk of being disconnected. They have not been linked by the deadline.
On Wednesday, the NCC reported that 153 million lines have been linked to the NINs. As of March 2024, the total number of active GSM lines in the country is 219.01 million lines.
“To date, over 153 million SIMs have been successfully linked to NINs, reflecting an impressive compliance rate of 96 percent, a substantial increase from 69.7 percent in January 2024,” the statement said.
The SIM-NIN linking initiative began in 2020, with 125 million lines linked by April 2022. The NCC has since set several deadlines, with the latest final deadline announced in December 2023.
“All SIMs for which the subscribers have not submitted their NINs are to be barred on or before 28 February 2024. Where five or more SIMs are linked to an unverified NIN, they are to be barred on or before 29 March 2024. Where less than five SIMs are linked to an unverified NIN, they are to be barred on or before 15 April 2024,” it said.
The deadline was subsequently extended from April to July, but a public backlash ensued as some mobile network operators began blocking lines not linked to NIN days before the July 31, 2024 deadline.
This led to public protests and violence in some MTN locations, after which the NCC ordered the telecommunications companies to unblock the lines while announcing the new extension.
On Wednesday, the regulator stressed that the completion of SIM-NIN linking is crucial to improve security in the digital economy, reduce fraud and cybercrime, and encourage greater participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and financial support in mobile money services.
“As we approach the final phase of this critical process, the NCC seeks the continued cooperation of all Nigerians 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,” a statement signed by NCC Director of Public Relations, Reuben Muoka, said.
The Commission also announced that investigations in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) uncovered cases of individuals possessing unusually large numbers of SIM cards, some of which were over 100,000.
As part of its efforts to safeguard national security, the Commission reiterated its resolve to crack down on pre-registered SIM cards. “The Commission also remains committed to working with security agencies and other stakeholders to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs, thereby safeguarding national security and ensuring the integrity of mobile numbers in Nigeria,”
The mobile sector regulator noted that from September 15, 2024, SIM cards without a valid NIN will cease to function.
