FG extends NIN-SIM verification deadline to March 31

Again, Federal Government has extended the deadline for the National Identification Number (NIN)-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) data verification to the 31st of March, 2022.

This is also as the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says it has now issued over 71 million NINs with over fourteen-thousand (14,000) enrolment centres set up across the country.

In a statement jointly signed by the Head of Corporate Communications, Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr Ike Adinde and Director of Public Affairs National Identity Management Commission, Mr Kayode Adegoke said the approval was conveyed to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami.

According to the statement, the stakeholders in the sector have also applauded the Nigerian Government on the significant growth in the number of NIN enrolments and the increased drive to enlighten Nigerians and legal residents across the country.

“As of 30th December 2021, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued over seventy-one million (71m) NINs with over fourteen thousand (14,000) enrolment centres set up across the country.

“Furthermore, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has also set up enrolment 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 about 3 to 4 SIMs linked to a NIN, reflects the concerted effort of the Federal Government, the Nigerian populace and legal residents and this is truly commendable.

“Following the request by stakeholders, including citizens, legal residents and Nigerians in the Diaspora, the Federal Government has extended the deadline of the exercise to the 31st of March, 2022.

This extension would enable the Federal Government to consolidate the gains of the process and accelerate the enrolment of Nigerians in key areas like the remote areas, Diaspora, schools, hospitals, worship centres, and the registration of legal residents”.

According to the statement, Pantami, 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 Communication Commission (NCC) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in ensuring that the objectives of the exercise are achieved.

The Minister, the Executive Vice Chairman, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, and the Director-General of NIMC, Aliyu Aziz, on behalf of the Federal Government thanked all Nigerians and stakeholders for their commitment and support towards the success of the project.

It would be recalled that in October, the Federal Government extended the deadline for NIN-SIM data verification to the end of 2021.

This was contained in a joint statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, and the Head, Corporate Communications at Nigeria Identity Management Commission, Mr Kayode Adegoke issued on Saturday, October 30.

The statement titled; ‘Stakeholders Applaud the NIN-SIM Verification Exercise as FG Urges Citizens and Legal Residents to Enrol Before the End of the Year,’ said the decision was due to appeals by the Mobile Network Operators and other industry stakeholders, seeking an extension to ensure better compliance with government’s directive.

Federal Government has extended the deadline for up four times since last year when the directive to link users’ SIM to their NIN was issued.