The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has set September 14, 2024, as the final deadline for the National Identification Number (NIN) and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) linkage exercise. The NCC, in a statement released on Wednesday, directed all mobile network operators (MNOs) to complete the verification and linkage of SIMs to NINs by this date. The commission warned that effective September 15, 2024, all SIM cards in Nigeria must be linked to a valid NIN to remain active.
The NCC reported that over 153 million SIMs have already been successfully linked to NINs, representing an impressive compliance rate of 96%. This marks a substantial increase from the 69.7% compliance rate recorded in January 2024. The commission’s insistence on the NIN-SIM linkage is part of a broader strategy to enhance the security of Nigeria’s digital economy and promote a more regulated telecommunications environment.
The NCC emphasized that linking SIM cards to NINs is crucial for reinforcing trust and security in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. The policy aims to reduce fraud, combat cybercrime, and increase confidence in digital transactions. By verifying the identity of all mobile users, the policy strengthens the integrity of mobile communications, which is essential for the growth of e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services. Additionally, it promotes financial inclusion and contributes to broader economic growth.
“The complete linkage of all SIM cards to NINs is essential for enhancing the trust and security of Nigeria’s digital economy,” the NCC said. “By verifying all mobile users, this policy strengthens confidence in digital transactions, reduces the risk of fraud and cybercrime, and supports greater participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services.”
In collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the NCC has uncovered alarming cases of individuals possessing an unusually high number of SIM cards, with some owning more than 100,000. Such practices pose significant risks to national security and personal data protection. The NCC reiterated its commitment to working closely with security agencies and other stakeholders to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs, ensuring that all mobile numbers in Nigeria are properly verified and accounted for.
The NCC has urged all Nigerians who have not yet completed their NIN-SIM linkage to do so before the September 14 deadline. Those facing issues due to verification mismatches are encouraged to visit their service providers promptly to update their details. The commission also highlighted that self-service portals are available for consumers to complete the linkage process independently.
The NCC further reminded the public that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIMs are criminal offences punishable by imprisonment and fines. Nigerians are encouraged to report any such activities via the NCC’s toll-free line (622) or through its social media platforms.
The NIN-SIM linkage policy was first introduced in December 2020 when the Nigerian government directed telecom companies to deactivate unregistered SIM cards and those not linked to NINs. Since then, the deadline for full compliance has been extended several times, with the most recent being April 15, 2024, followed by July 31, 2024. These extensions were provided to give consumers more time to verify their NIN details.
However, the implementation of the policy has not been without challenges. In July 2024, telecom facilities were vandalized by frustrated Nigerians who had been barred from making and receiving calls due to their inability to verify the linkage of their NINs with their SIMs. In response, the NCC temporarily lifted the restrictions to allow customers more time to complete the NIN-SIM linkage.
