The National Identity Management Commission and the Nigerian Communications Commission are working together to improve the processes of linking National Identification Numbers (NIN) with SIM cards.
This information was revealed on Sunday in a joint statement signed by Ayodele Babalola, the Technical Adviser, Media, and Communications to the DG/CEO of NIMC, and Reuben Muoka, the Director, Public Affairs of NCC.
The linking of NIN with SIM cards has recently become a topic of national discussion, highlighting the important need to match SIM registrations with individuals’ unique NINs.
Recognizing the importance of this initiative in improving security and service delivery, both commissions expressed their commitment to enhancing processes and efficiency.
Additionally, the agencies involved in the partnership prioritize the interests of Nigerians and support national development.
“By combining our resources and expertise, we aim to address the challenges connected to the NIN-SIM connection and ensure its continued successful implementation,” the agencies stated.
Under this collaboration, NIMC and NCC focus on key areas such as simplifying the NIN-SIM connection process, capacity building, public awareness, data verification, policy harmonization, and the regulatory framework.
The statement mentioned, “NIMC and NCC will work together to ensure a smooth experience for Nigerian telecommunication subscribers. This includes exploring new approaches to facilitate the quick verification and authentication of NINs during SIM registration and activation processes.
“Both agencies will work together on initiatives to improve public awareness and understanding of the NIN-SIM connection requirements. This includes educational campaigns, training sessions for stakeholders, and the spread of accurate information to the public in order to encourage compliance with the linking directives.
“NIMC will continue to support NCC by helping to verify National Identification Numbers (NINs) linked with SIM registrations. Using NIMC’s strong database and authentication infrastructure, telecommunication operators will validate submitted NINs while ensuring the accuracy and integrity of subscriber data.
“NIMC and NCC will collaborate on aligning policies and regulatory frameworks to ease the smooth integration of NIN-SIM connection processes within the telecommunications ecosystem. This includes harmonizing data protection and privacy regulations to safeguard the confidentiality and security of subscriber information.
The NCC had barred about 40 million phone lines are not linked to NIN after the February 28, 2024, deadline.
In a December 2023 notice, the regulator had asked telcos to block SIMs that had not been linked to their owners’ NINs by February 28, 2024.
MTN Nigeria stated that over 4.2m lines were disconnected from its network after the February 28 deadline set by the NCC.
The NCC had faced criticism for blocking telephone lines not linked to NIN from various societal groups.
Last week, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project threatened to take the NCC to court if the NCC did not overturn its instruction to telecommunications companies to block phone lines.
The organization, which expressed the threat in a public letter to NCC's CEO, Dr. Aminu Maida, requested more discussions and an efficient process for Nigerians who have not yet linked their SIM cards to their NINs.
