All network operators have been directed to require all their subscribers to provide valid National Identification Number (NIN) to update SIM registration records in a directive by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
This was arrived at following the earlier directive on the suspension of new SIM registration by network operators, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) convened an urgent meeting of key stakeholders in the Communications industry on Monday, December 14, 2020.
The meeting had in attendance the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Management of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), as well as the CEOs and Management staff of all service providers in the industry.
At the meeting, the need to consolidate the achievements of last year’s SIM registration audit and improve the performance and sanity of the sector was exhaustively discussed and all stakeholders agreed that urgent drastic measures have now become inevitable to improve the integrity and transparency of the SIM registration process.
To this end, the decisions taken for immediate implementation by all Network Operators in Nigeria include the affirmation of the earlier directive to totally suspend registration of New SIMs by all operators and that operators are to require all their subscribers to provide valid National Identification Number (NIN) to update SIM registration records.
The submission of NIN by subscribers has a December 30 deadline, a two-week window, starting from today December 16, 2020.
The operators were also directed that after the deadline, all SIMs without NINs are to be blocked from the networks, even Ministerial Task Force comprising the Minister and all the CEOs (among others) as members is to monitor compliance by all networks.
In a statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde on Tuesday, violations of the directive “will be met by stiff sanctions, including the possibility of withdrawal of operating license.
“The general public is hereby urged to ensure that their NINs are captured in their SIM registration data.
“All inconveniences which might be occasioned by this directive are deeply regretted”,
