The FG of Nigeria has extended the deadline for NIN-SIM verification until October 31
The FG of Nigeria has extended the deadline for NIN-SIM verification until October 31
According to the Federal Government, the deadline for National Identity Number (NIN)-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) data verification will now be extended to October 31, 2021, from October 31, 2020.
This comes less than a month after the previous extension was granted and less than a day before the previous deadline was set to expire (July 26). According to the NIN-SIM linkage exercise announcement made in December 2020, this would be the sixth deadline extension since that time.
A request from stakeholders for an extension of the registration deadline was granted in order to accommodate registration in difficult-to-reach remote areas, foreigners and diplomatic missions, diaspora, and to address low enrolment in schools and hospitals, as evidenced by enrollment statistics, which was granted.
Following a review of the progress of the exercise, which revealed that significant progress had been made, it was determined that it was necessary to consolidate the gains made through the enrolment and NIN-SIM verification processes across the country.
Over 5,500 enrolment systems both within and outside the country
As of July 24, 2021, there are over 5,500 enrolment systems both within and outside the country, which would significantly simplify the NIN enrolment process and the subsequent linking of NIN to SIM after it is completed.
The extension was approved by the administration of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, as part of efforts to make it easier for Nigerian citizens, both within and outside the country, as well as legal residents, to obtain a National Identification Number (NIN). It is critical that citizens take advantage of the extension.
Aside from making it easier for security agencies to carry out their statutory duties, the NIN-SIM linkage also provides them with the necessary support from the relevant parastatals under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
With an average of 3 to 4 SIMs per NIN, there are currently 59.8 million unique NIN enrolments in total. With the large number of enrolment centers in and outside the country, as well as the many more that are being established, every citizen, legal resident, and Nigerian in the diaspora should be able to obtain their National Identification Numbers.
As a representative of the Federal Government, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami (Ph.D. FNCS, FBCS, FIIM), commends the Kano State government and other states for making National Identification Numbers (NINs) a requirement for school enrollment and access to various other important services.
It is also pleasing to the Federal Government to learn that the use of NIN in the process of administering the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam has significantly reduced the likelihood of exam malpractice occurring.
A special thanks goes out to Nigerians for their patience and compliance with the Federal Government's directive regarding the NIN-SIM registration exercise, expressed by the Minister on behalf of the Federal Government.
Professor 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), have also urged citizens and legal residents to take advantage of the remaining time available to them before October 31 to complete the process of enrolment and verification.
