The Federal Government on Tuesday extended the deadline for Nigerians who have been unable to link their National Identity Number (NIN) with their Subscriber Identity Module (SIM).
This came after discovering that millions of Nigerians had not enrolled for NIN or linked it with their SIM cards.
The initial deadline, which was to end January 19, but extended to February 9 was announced by National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) on their Twitter platform.
“All Nigerians and legal residents are advised to enroll for their National Identification Number (NIN) and link them before February 9th, 2021,”
Meaning, no SIM would be blocked until February 9, 2021, with or without NIN.
Not the first deadline extension
Last year, FG declared that SIM cards not registered with valid NIN would be blocked after December 30.
However, it was extended after the public made several complaints on the time range.
Nigerians were given three weeks to enroll and link their NINs with their SIM cards before January 19.
Now it has been extended again, and this might be good news for some Nigerians
This would allow them enough time to get carry out the compulsory exercise.
ALSO READ: NIMC Extends NIN Enrolment To Saturdays
Confirmation of deadline extension
Mobile Networks Operators (MNO) said through the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) that it received confirmation of the deadline extension from the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC).
“We have received formal confirmation from the NCC that President Muhammadu Buhari has graciously approved the extension of the deadline for subscribers with NIN to link it to their SIM registration data from January 19 to February 9, 2021.”
The extended deadline will allow subscribers who are yet to sync their SIMS with their NIN to do so.
Further, it said it commits to enrolling citizens in the National Identity Database (NIDB) of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
It will ease the citizens from frustration, desperation, and extortion of enrolling and avoid untrustworthy means.
“To ensure that we utilise the extension period judiciously, we urge all telecom subscribers who have a NIN to link it to their SIM cards through available channels as soon as possible. Those yet to enrol are advised to visit www.nimc.gov.ng for a list of enrolment centres close to them.”
47.8 million subscribers have linked their SIM cards to NIN
Technical implementation committee under the Ministerial Task Force reported significant progress of enrollment and linkage.
It said that mobile network operators had collected 47.8 million NIN between December 16, 20202 and January 19, 2021.
And with an average of two to four SIM subscribers, it means many more million will join before the deadline.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications and Digital Economic, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has praised the outstanding performance.
He expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their dedication and urged all citizens to adhere to the submission of NIN before the deadline.
Also, he included that the technical team should be at alert in the processes to result in efficient delivery.
He advised citizens not to share their NIN with anyone as an offence associated with any NIN will be traced to the NIN owner.
ATCON President, Ikechukwu Nnamani assured the public that they are working hard to ensure successful SIM-NIN synchronization.
“All efforts are being made to ensure that many citizens are registered as safely as possible.
“Equipment and infrastructure needed to register more people are being set up across the country and this will help increase the number of registered citizens. We are optimistic the project will be registered as a success when this completed.”
Nigerians react
Before the announcement, some Nigerians had hinted at an extension of the exercise.
I Smell another Extension in the Air.
They will continue to Extend This NIN registration Until Christ comes.
— 𝐄Ｋᗴℕᗴ ᗴ𝕞ᗴℕ𝐈Ｋ𝐄 (@Ekems_) January 19, 2021
@nimc_ng I really think there should be an extension of registering the NIN. The crowd is something else. Tried a center that distantly close but they've not been there for almost a week now.
— Chrxmax (@chrxmax) January 16, 2021
https://twitter.com/benmoses77/status/1351426380031000582
Others reacted after news of the extension broke.
Did NIMC just extend the deadline for the NIN and SIM cards linking again ? Lol.
I laugh at those of you who stressed yourselves, election was postponed in this country ffs! What’s NIN 🤷🏾♂️
— Gill Bates 🐳 (@AkinyeleWO) January 19, 2021
Lol! There’s an Extension to the date of NIN registration.
February 9th is the new deadline.
— . (@MrJuniorEbong) January 19, 2021
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