The Federal Government has decided to extend the deadline for data verification of the National Identity Number (NIN)-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) until October 31, 2021.
This is said in a joint statement signed by Ikechukwu Adinde, Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and Mr. Kayode Adegoke, Head, Corporate Communications, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
The decision to extend the deadline was made in response to a request from stakeholders to accommodate registration in hard-to-reach remote areas, foreigners and diplomatic missions, diaspora, and low enrollments in schools and hospitals, as evidenced by enrollment statistics, as per the statement.
“The decision was also based on an assessment of the exercise’s status, which revealed considerable progress, necessitating the consolidation of enrollment and NIN-SIM verification wins across the nation.
“There are approximately 5,500 enrolling systems within and outside the country as of July 24, 2021, and this would greatly simplify the NIN enrollment procedure and subsequent SIM connection.
“His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has approved the extension as part of efforts to make it easier for citizens both inside and outside the country, as well as legal residents, to obtain the NIN, and it is critical to take advantage of the extension,” the statement continued.
The NIN-SIM connection also makes it simpler for security agencies to perform their statutory obligations, according to the announcement, and relevant parastatals under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy are assisting them as needed.
“A total of 59.8 million unique NIN enrollments have been recorded, with an average of 3 to 4 SIMs per NIN. With so many enrolling centers both inside and outside the nation, and more on the way, every citizen, legal resident, and Nigerian in the diaspora should be able to get their NINs.
“On behalf of the Federal Government, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, commends the Kano State government and other states for making NINs a vital prerequisite for school enrollment and access to other critical services.
“The Federal Government is particularly pleased to learn that introducing NIN into the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam process has considerably decreased the risk of exam misconduct.
“The Minister thanks Nigerians for their patience and cooperation with the Federal Government’s directive on the NIN-SIM registration process on behalf of the Federal Government.
Additionally, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and Engr. Aliyu Azeez, Director-General/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), urges citizens and legal residents to take advantage of the opportunity to complete the enrollment and verification process before the October 31 deadline, according to the statement.
