The Federal Government has extended deadline for the National Identification Number (NIN)-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) data verification exercise to the 31st of March, 2022 just as total enrollment has exceeded 71 million based on data from centres in Nigeria and abroad.
Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) conveyed the information in a statement signed by Dr. Ike Adinde, Director Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC and his counterpart Mr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, National Identity Management Commission, NIMC.
There are 14,000 enrolment centres in Nigeria. The NIMC has also established enrollment centres in over thirty-one (31) countries to cater for Nigerians in the Diaspora.
“The unprecedented growth in the National Identity Database to over 71 million unique NINs in such a short period, with 3 to 4 SIMs linked to a NIN by an individual, reflects the concerted effort of the Federal Government, the Nigerian populace and legal residents and this is truly commendable”, the minister said.
Pantami explained that FG extended the deadline for another six months following request by stakeholders, including citizens, legal residents and Nigerians in the Diaspora.
“ This extension would enable the Federal Government to consolidate the gains of the process and accelerate the enrolment of Nigerians in key remote areas, Diaspora, schools, hospitals, worship centres, and the registration of legal residents”, he said.
The Minister has however implored Nigerians and legal residents to enrol for their NINs and link with their SIMs during this period of extension as more services will be requiring the NIN for identification. He also reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to support the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in ensuring that the objectives of the exercise are achieved.
The Honourable Minister, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, and the Director-General/CEO of NIMC, Engr. Aliyu A. Aziz, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, wish to thank all Nigerians and stakeholders for their commitment and support towards the success of the project.
They also applaud the efforts of the respective staff in ensuring a seamless NIN-SIM linkage and urge citizens and legal residents to complete the process of enrolment, verification, and SIM linkage on or before 31st March 2022.
