FG Orders Telcos to Block SIM Cards Without NIN

Pat Stevens/

The Federal Government has directed all Telcos to bar outgoing calls for telephone lines whose owners have not complied with the directive to link their National Identification Number (NIN) to the Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) from today.

This directive is contained in a statement, today, jointly signed by Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde
Director, Public Affairs, National Communications Commission (NCC) and Kayode Adegoke, Head, Corporate Communications, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

According to the statement, “subscribers of such lines are hereby advised to link their SIMs to their NINs before the Telcos can lift the restriction on their lines. Affected individuals are advised to register for their NINs at designated centers and thereafter link the NINs to their SIMs through the channels provided by NIMC and the Telcos, including the NIMC mobile App.

The statement further notes that the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami “specially appreciates President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) for his tremendous support. He also commends the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Dambatta, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Aliyu Azeez Abubakar along with their Management and Staff, as well as other notable bodies whose efforts have seen to the monumental success of the exercise”.

“The Minister also extends his thanks to the telecommunication operators for their support towards the success recorded,” the statement adds.

Pantami emphasised that enrolment for the NIN is a continuous exercise and NIN is a precondition for service in Telcos, banks, Nigerian Immigration Service, and for several other government services.

He also encouraged Nigerians and legal residents to visit NIN registration centers for the enrollment and issuance of valid NINs.

“As of date, over 125 Million SIMs have had their NINs submitted for immediate linkage, verification and authentication. Similarly, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued over 78 million unique NINs till date,” the statement further observes.

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