The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced September 14, 2024, as the final deadline for compliance with the National Identity Number (NIN)-Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) linkage policy.
This policy, initiated by the Federal Government in 2020, aims to link all SIM cards to NINs, enhancing the security and trust of Nigeria’s digital economy.
According to the NCC, significant progress has been made, with over 153 million SIMs successfully linked to NINs, representing a 96% compliance rate.
This is a substantial increase from the 69.7% compliance rate recorded in January 2024.
The Commission is urging all Nigerians to cooperate in achieving 100% compliance, as the complete linkage of SIM cards to NINs is crucial for:
1. Enhancing trust and security in digital transactions
2. Reducing the risk of fraud and cybercrime
3. Supporting greater participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services
4. Promoting financial inclusion and driving economic growth
NCC has collaborated with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to identify cases of individuals possessing an unusually high number of SIM cards, some exceeding 100,000.
The Commission is committed to working with security agencies to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs, ensuring national security and the integrity of mobile numbers.
To ensure full compliance, 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, no SIM operating in Nigeria will be without a valid NIN.
The Commission urges the public to:
1. Visit their service providers to update their details before the deadline
2. Use approved self-service portals for NIN-SIM linkage
3. Report any sale or purchase of pre-registered SIMs to the Commission via its toll-free line (622) or social media platforms
The NCC thanks the public for their cooperation and support as it aims to strengthen Nigeria’s digital ecosystem through this initiative.