The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has set a new deadline of September 14, 2024, for the mandatory linkage of the Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) to the National Identity Numbers (NINs).
An estimated 66.01 million lines are now at risk of disconnection if not linked before the deadline.
On Wednesday, the NCC reported that 153 million lines have been linked to NINs. In March 2024, the country’s total number of active GSM lines stood at 219.01 million.
“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,” it stated.
The SIM-NIN linkage initiative began in 2020, and by April 2022, 125 million lines had been linked. The NCC has set multiple deadlines since then, with the most recent series of final deadlines 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 noted.
Read also: 40 million+ phone lines barred as NIN-SIM linkage deadline expires
It later shifted its April deadline to July, but there was a public outcry when some mobile network operators began barring lines not linked with NINs days before the July 31, 2024, deadline.
This led to public outcry and violence in some MTN locations, prompting the NCC to instruct telcos to unbar lines while announcing a new deadline extension.
On Wednesday, the regulator highlighted that completing the SIM-NIN linkage is critical for enhancing security in the digital economy, reducing fraud and cybercrime, and fostering greater participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and 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,” it stated in a statement signed by Reuben Muoka, director of public affairs at the NCC.
The commission also revealed that the exercise had led to the discovery of cases where individuals possessed an unusually high number of SIM cards—some exceeding 100,000—through collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
As part of its efforts to safeguard national security, the commission reiterated its commitment to cracking 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,” it said.
The mobile sector regulator noted that no SIM will operate without a valid NIN from September 15, 2024.
