Tag: SIM-NIN

The Federal Government has through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), set a new deadline for subscribers to ensure they link their Subscribers Identity Modules (SIM) with the their National Identity Numbers (NIN).

The government also raised alarm over the acquisition of multiple SIM Numbers cards by individuals, saying some individuals have in their possession more than 100,000 SIM cards.

The government directed all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to ensure that all subscribers linked their SIM with NIN latest 14 September 2024. It added that from 15th of September, the MNOs should disconnect any SIM not linked with the NIN.

According to a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs of the NCC, Reuben Muoka, the Commission said through collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) it has been able to establish the security implications of individuals acquiring multiple SIM cards through unauthorised sources in the country.

The Commission emphasized the imperative of cleaning up the system within the shortest possible time, and urged MNOs to adhere strictly to the directive of the government.

The NCC admitted that significant progress has been recorded by the Government’s 2020 policy to link all Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) to National Identity Numbers (NINs).

Read Also: NCC: SIM-NIN linkage pre-condition for unbarring call

It noted that till date over 153 million SIMs have been successfully linked to NIN, reflecting an impressive compliance rate of 96 per cent, a substantial increase from 69.7 per cent in January 2024.

The NCC’s statement reads: “As we approach the final phase of this critical process, the NCC seeks the continued cooperation of all Nigerians to achieve 100 per cent compliance.

“The complete linkage of all SIM cards to NINs is essential for enhancing the trust and security of our digital economy. By verifying all mobile users, this 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.

 “Through collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the NCC has uncovered alarming cases where individuals possessed an unusually high number of SIM cards—some exceeding 100,000.

“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.

 “To ensure full compliance with the NIN-SIM linkage policy, the NCC has directed all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to complete the mandatory verification and linkage of SIMs to NINs by September 14, 2024.

 “Effective September 15, 2024, the Commission 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. Alternatively, the approved self-service portals are available for this purpose.

 “The NCC also reminds the public that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIMs are criminal offences punishable by imprisonment and fines. We encourage citizens to report any such activities to the Commission via our toll-free line (622) or through our social media platforms.

 “The Commission thanks the general public for its continued cooperation as we work together to strengthen Nigeria’s digital ecosystem”

Telecom operators yesterday blamed subscribers for the current spate of mass rejection of subscriber identity module (SIM) linkage with National Identity Numbers (NINs).

The operators said the barrage of text messages warning of imminent disconnection of subscribers originated from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

It would be recalled that the Nigerian Communications Communication (NNC), via a December 15, 2023, letter, directed mobile network operators to implement full network barring on all SIMs for which the subscribers have not submitted their NINs and those without verified NINs.

NCC directed that all SIMs for which the subscribers have not submitted their NINs, are to be barred on or before 28 February 2024.

In order to be caught in the web, subscribers have besieged both NIMC enrolment centres and customer care outlets of the MNOs.

But what has become worrisome to many subscribers that despite successfully linking their SIMs with their NINs, they are still inundated with text messages from their service providers advising them to link their NIN to their SIM. One of the text messages read: “Your line will be BLOCKED soon as you are yet to link your NIN to your line. To avoid this….to resubmit your NIN or check your status vi… and then visit any… store or agent to regularize your NIN details!”

Reacting to the development, telecom operators said the text messages did not originate from them but rather from NIMC.

Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) the umbrella body of all the telcos, Gbenga Adebayo, in a telephone interview, said what the operators do was forward the customer data gathered and sent to NIMC which would in turn crosscheck if the data supplied at the point of SIM registration tallies with the one supplied during enrolment for NIN.

He said if discrepancies are noticed at the point, NIMC would reject the numbers and send them back to the MNOs, adding that the text messages subscribers are seeing were sent to them on behalf of NIMC.

Adebayo said if a subscriber gives a name as his first name at the point of SIM registration and gives another name as first name at the point of enrolling for NIN, such a subscriber will certainly be expected to explain why there is a discrepancy in the first name in the two data captured.

Similarly, he said some subscribers identified themselves as soldiers at the point of doing SIM registration but identified themselves as pilots at the point of doing NIN. Such persons, he said would be required to explain why the information supplied is contradictory.

The NCC had also directed the operators that where five or more SIMs are linked to an unverified NIN, such SIMs are to be barred on or before 29 March 2024, adding that  where less than five SIMs are linked to an unverified NIN, such SIMs are to be barred on or before 15 April 2024.

All affected subscribers must be verified (biometrics and biodata) before their lines are unbarred.

The public will recall that the Federal Government commenced implementing the SIM/NIN harmonization program in December 2020 through the NCC. This program requires all telecommunications subscribers to link their NINs to SIM registration records to avoid service restrictions.

Read Also: SIM-NIN link blues

The linking involved validating the NIN with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and matching the subscriber’s NIN records with the SIM registration information (verification) to ensure proper subscriber identification.

Following the directive of the NCC, which took effect on April 4, 2022, all SIMs for which the subscribers failed to submit their NINs were placed on outgoing call restriction only, and the affected subscribers were advised to verify their NINs before being reactivated.

“Despite the limited service restriction, millions of subscribers have yet to submit their NINs for verification. Consequently, the NCC issued this directive dated 15 December 2023 for telecommunications operators to commence full network barring of the affected MSISDNs on the effective dates.

“The importance of the NIN cannot be overemphasized. It is crucial for a reliable and sustainable National Identity Management System in Nigeria. It enables economic inclusion and access to government services and helps address security concerns. Supporting the NIN initiative is necessary for a thriving digital economy and building a safer society. Therefore, our members are committed to implementing the directive as law-abiding corporate citizens who are highly supportive of the government’s objective to build a digital economy.

“We, therefore, wish to appeal to esteemed subscribers to kindly enroll for NINs or submit their NINs through the appropriate channel advertised by members to avoid full suspension of services by the set deadlines,” ALTON had said.