The Federal Government has approved the extension of the National Identification Number for SIM verification till June 30, 2021, as an effort to make it easier for citizens and residents to obtain NIN.
This was made known in a statement signed and released to newsmen on Tuesday, May 4, by the Director, Public Affairs Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, and the Head, Corporate Communications National Identity Management Commission, Mr. Kayode Adegoke.
According to a virtual meeting chaired by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, FNCS, and the Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Adeolu Akande; the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Dambatta, and the Director-General/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr Aliyu Azeez.
Also, Dr. Pantami stated that the postponement was based on the request by the stakeholders to make it easier for all citizens and legal residents to register.
However, he revealed that some significant progress has been made in the NIN-SIM verification process, for example he said, It was recorded that almost 54 million people have successfully obtained their NIN and this can translate up to 190 million mobile number since practical evidence revealed that each unique NIN maps to 3 to 4 phone numbers.
The Minister during the virtual meeting also revealed that the much-awaited Android enrollment system which has the potential to significantly accelerate the speed of enrollment is now ready for deployment.
Furthermore, Dr. Pantami stated that the telecom provider and other enrollment agents have also opened several centers across the country to make it easier for eligible citizens and residents to obtain and link their NINs.
He added that it is now compulsory to use the National Identity Number to access different government services as provided according to Section 27 and 29 of the National Identity Management Commission Act 2007, noting that the NIN is similar to the use of Social Security Number in the United States as well as the National Insurance Number in the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, the Minister hereby wishes to thank Nigerians for their tolerance and adherence with the Federal Government’s mandates on the NIN-SIM enrollment exercise.
Also, he restated the government’s responsibility to continue putting up with decisions aimed at ameliorating the pains of the citizens about issues related to NIN and SIM registration.
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