The Federal Government has extended the deadline for National Identity Number (NIN)-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) data verification to October 31, 2021.
A statement jointly signed by Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, and Head, Corporate Communications, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Mr Kayode Adegoke, on Sunday noted that the decision was reached following a request by stakeholders to accommodate registration in hard-to-reach remote areas, foreigners and diplomatic missions in diaspora.
According to them, the extension is also to address low enrolments in schools and hospitals, as evidenced by enrolment statistics.
They, however, hinted that there were presently a total of 59.8 million unique NIN enrolments, with average of three to four SIMs per NIN in the country.
According to them, the decision also followed a review of the progress of the exercise which indicates significant progress, hence the need to consolidate the gains of the enrolment and NIN-SIM verification process across the country.
“As at July 24, 2021, there are over 5,500 enrolment systems within and outside the country and this will significantly ease the NIN enrolment process and subsequent linkage of NIN to SIM.
“The government has approved the extension as part of efforts to make it easier for its citizens within and outside the country and legal residents to obtain the NIN and it is important to take advantage of the extension.
“The NIN-SIM linkage also makes it easier for security agencies to carry out their statutory duties and the relevant parastatals under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy are supporting them as required.
“With the great number of enrolment centres within and outside the country, and many more coming up, every citizen, legal resident and Nigerian citizens living in diaspora should be able to obtain their NINs”.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami appreciated Nigerians for their patience and compliance with Federal Government’s directive on the NIN-SIM registration.
