The Nigerian Government has again extended the deadline for National Identity Number (NIN)-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) data verification to October 31, 2021.
A statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs of the Nigerian Communications Commission NCC, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde and the Head of Corporate Communications of the National Identity Management Commission NIMC, Mr Kayode Adegoke, said the decision was based on the request by stakeholders to accommodate registration in hard-to-reach remote areas as well as foreigners.
According to the statement, the extension would also cover diplomatic missions, diaspora and address low enrolments in schools and hospitals as evidenced by enrolment statistics.
”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. There are now a total of 59.8 million unique NIN enrolments, with average of 3 to 4 SIMs per NIN.
”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 statement explained.
It is expected that the extension would significantly ease the NIN enrolment process and subsequent linkage of NIN to SIM.
