The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) FBCS, FNCS, FIIM, in a press statement published on the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) website conveyed the approval of the Federal Government to further extend the deadline for the National Identification Number (NIN)-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) data verification to March 31, 2022.
The Honourable Minister 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 require the NIN for identification. He also reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to support the NCC and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in ensuring that the objectives of the exercise are achieved.
According to the press statement, The need to extend the deadline for the NIN-SIM data verification became necessary as a result of requests made by citizens, legal residents and Nigerians in the diaspora, and other stakeholders. This extension would also 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.
The Honourable Minister, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, and the Director-General/CEO of NIMC, Engr. Aliyu A. Aziz, used the opportunity to thank Nigerians and relevant stakeholders for their commitment and support towards the success of the NIN-SIM data verification. They also applauded the efforts of the staff in ensuring a seamless NIN-SIM data verification.
As of December 30, 2021, the NIMC has issued over 71 (Seventy-One) million NINs and over 14,000 (Fourteen Thousand) enrolment centres set up across the country. The NIMC has also set up enrolment centres in over 31 (Thirty-One) countries to cater for Nigerians in the Diaspora. The stakeholders applauded the Federal Government on the significant growth in the number of NIN enrolments and the increased drive to enlighten Nigerians and legal residents across the country.