The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a directive to all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to complete the mandatory verification and linkage of Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) to National Identity Numbers (NINs) by September 14, 2024.
This directive follows the Federal Government’s 2020 policy aimed at linking all NINs to SIMs. As of the latest update on Wednesday, the NCC reported that over 153 million SIMs have been successfully linked to NINs, representing a compliance rate of 96%, a significant increase from 69.7% in January 2024.
In a statement signed by Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at the NCC, the Commission emphasized the importance of reaching 100% compliance as the country enters the final phase of the process. “The complete linkage of all SIM cards to NINs is essential for enhancing the trust and security of our digital economy,” the statement read.
The NCC highlighted that verifying all mobile users is crucial for boosting confidence in digital transactions, reducing the risk of fraud and cybercrime, and supporting greater participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services. This effort, according to the Commission, will also promote financial inclusion and drive economic growth.
The NCC also revealed that, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), it has uncovered alarming cases where individuals possessed an unusually high number of SIM cards — with some individuals holding over 100,000 SIMs.
To combat such irregularities and to ensure the integrity of mobile numbers in Nigeria, the NCC remains committed to working with security agencies and other stakeholders to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs, thereby safeguarding national security.
As the September 14 deadline approaches, the NCC has instructed all MNOs to ensure the mandatory verification and linkage of SIMs to NINs is completed. “Effective September 15, 2024, the Commission expects that no SIM operating in Nigeria will be without a valid NIN,” the statement added.
The Commission urged all individuals who have not yet completed their NIN-SIM linkage, or those who have encountered issues due to verification mismatches, to promptly visit their service providers to update their details before the deadline. Alternatively, approved self-service portals are available for this purpose.
Additionally, the NCC reminded the public that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIMs are criminal offenses punishable by imprisonment and fines, encouraging citizens to report such activities to the Commission via its toll-free line (622) or through its social media platforms.
The NCC concluded by thanking the public for their cooperation in strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
