FG Extends NIN-SIM Verification Deadline to October 31st, Focuses on Remote Areas

The Federal Government has approved the extension of the deadline for National Identity Number (NIN)-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) data verification to October 31st, 2021.

The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari 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, with the hope that concerned individuals will take advantage of the extension.

This was contained in a press statement jointly signed by the Director of  Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde and  Mr. Kayode Adegoke, Head, Corporate Communications, National Identity Management Commission.

The decision to extend the deadline was made following a request by stakeholders to accommodate registration in hard-to-reach remote areas, foreigners and diplomatic missions, diaspora and address low enrolments in schools and hospitals, as evidenced by enrolment statistics.

It would be recalled that before this new extension, the federal government had set 26 of July, 2021 as the deadline for NIN- SIM linkage.

The new decision also followed a review of the progress of the exercise which indicated significant progress, hence the need to consolidate the gains of the enrolment and NIN-SIM verification process across the country.

The NIN-SIM linkage also makes it easier for the 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.

Available statistics from NCC show that there are now a total of 59.8 million unique NIN enrolments, with average of 3 to 4 SIMs per NIN.  Accordingly, the Commission believes that 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.

“As at July 24, 2021, there are over 5,500 enrolment systems within and outside the country and this would significantly ease the NIN enrolment process and subsequent linkage of NIN to SIM”, the statement added.

Similarly, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy,  Isa Pantami, on behalf of the Federal Government, commends the Kano State government and other States that have made NINs a key requirement for school enrolments and access to other important services.

The Federal Government is also excited at the news that the use of NIN in the process of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam significantly reduced the challenge of exam malpractice.

The Minister, on behalf of the Federal Government, appreciates Nigerians for their patience and compliance with the Government’s directive on the NIN-SIM registration exercise.

In the same vein, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, and the Director-General/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Aliyu Azeez, however urge citizens and legal residents to make sure they use the opportunity to complete the process of enrolment and verification before the October 31 deadline.