NCC Announces Full SIM-NIN Linkage

NCC Completes National SIM-NIN Sync

“We have recently concluded the implementation of the federal government's 2020 policy of linking...”

Nigeria's SIM-NIN Linkage Exercise: NCC Reports Successful Completion, Reactivates Barred Lines

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced the successful completion of the National Identification Number (NIN) and Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) linkage for all phone numbers in the country. This milestone comes just a month after the September 14 deadline for linking SIM cards to NINs expired.

Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, shared this update at the 2024 Annual Corporate Governance Conference in Lagos on October 10. Maida acknowledged the challenges Nigerians faced during the process but emphasized the significance of the NIN-SIM linkage initiative. He noted that this policy will help curb crime and insecurity in the country.

As of August 2024, over 153 million SIMs were successfully linked to NINs, reflecting an impressive compliance rate of 96%. This was a substantial increase from 69.7% in January 2024. With this achievement, all phone numbers can now be associated with a verified NIN, enhancing national security and identity verification.

The NCC had initially set the September 14 deadline for Nigerians to link their SIMs to NINs, warning that unlinked lines would be blocked by network operators. The commission's efforts have yielded significant results, demonstrating its commitment to implementing the federal government's policy.

“We have recently concluded the implementation of the federal government's 2020 policy of linking every phone number to a NIN,” he said.

“Though it was a bit painful for Nigerians, I think we also need to appreciate what this does for us.

“Today, there is no phone number that we cannot associate with a verified NIN. Not just a number, but a number that has been verified.”

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced the successful completion of the National Identification Number (NIN) and Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) linkage exercise for all phone numbers in the country. This milestone comes after the September 14, 2024 deadline for linking SIM cards to NINs expired.

As of August 2024, over 153 million SIMs were successfully linked to NINs, achieving a remarkable compliance rate of 96%. This is a significant jump from 69.7% in January 2024. However, with 219 million active lines across MTN, Globacom, Airtel, and 9mobile networks as of March 2024, millions of lines were still unlinked until the recent completion.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) aimed to achieve 100% compliance with the National Identification Number (NIN) and Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) linkage by September 14, 2024. In a statement by Reuben Muoka, NCC's Director of Public Affairs, the commission warned that network operators would block unlinked lines after the deadline. However, due to the challenges faced by subscribers, the NCC later directed telecom operators to reactivate barred lines and give consumers more time to verify their NINs.

Beyond the linkage process, verification of submitted NINs has been a significant hurdle for many consumers. Telecom operators have reported that discrepancies in registered data have prevented the verification of millions of NINs. This issue has led to widespread complaints from subscribers who have been unable to access their phone lines despite completing the linkage exercise. The NCC has since intervened, ordering the reactivation of affected lines and urging operators to resolve the verification issues.

Challenges Faced by Subscribers:

Discrepancies in Registered Data: Many subscribers have encountered issues due to inconsistencies in their registered data, preventing NIN verification.

Limited Time for Verification: The initial deadline of September 14, 2024, left many subscribers struggling to complete the verification process on time.

Technical Issues: Some subscribers have experienced technical difficulties while trying to link their NINs to their SIMs.