The Federal Government has directed telecommunication companies to bar all outgoing calls on unlinked lines – SIMs not yet registered and linked with the National Identification Number (NIN), from today, April 4, 2022.

The directive is contained in a Nigerian
Communications Commission, NCC, and National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, joint statement.

The full statement reads;

NIN-SIM Linkage: Federal Government Commends Compliance and Directs Telecoms to Bar Outgoing Calls on Unlinked Lines from 4th April, 2022*
On behalf of the Federal Government, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor isa Ali lbrahim Pantami, has commended Nigerians and Legal Residents for their support during the exercise to link the National Identification Number (NIN) to the Subscriber Identification Module (SIM).

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. It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. gave the directive for the implementation and commencement of the exercise in December 2020, as part of the administration’s security and social policies.

The deadlines for the NIN-SIM linkage has been extended on multiple occasions to allow Nigerians to freely comply with the Policy. The FG also took into consideration the passionate appeals by several bodies-Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Civil Societies, Professional Bodies and a host of others – for the extension of the deadlines in the past.

Accordingly, Mr. President graciously approved the many requests to extend deadlines for the NIN-SIM linkage. At this point however, Government has determined that the NlIN-SIM Policy implementation can proceed, as machinery has already been put in place to ensure compliance by citizens and legal residents.

The implementation impacts on Government’s strategic planning. particularly in the areas of security and socio-economic projections. President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the implementation of the Policy with effect from the 4th of April, 2022.

Consequently, the Federal Government has directed all Telecoms to strictly enforce the Policy on all SIMs issued (existing and new) in Nigeria. Outgoing calls will subsequently be barred for telephone lines that have not complied with the NIN-SIM linkage Policy from the 4th of April, 2022. Subscribers of such lines are hereby advised to link their SIMs to their NINs before the Telecoms can lift the restriction on their lines.

Affected individuals are hereby 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 Telecoms, including the NIMC mobile App.

Professor 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 Abubakar Aziz along with their Management and staft, 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 Honourable Minister also emphasized that enrolment for the NIN is a continuous exercise and NIN is a precondition for service in Telecoms, 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.

Signed:
Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde
Director, Public Affairs, NCC
Kayode Adegoke
Head, Corporate Communications, NIMC
4th April, 2022

NIN-SIM Linkage: Federal Government Commends Compliance and Directs Telcos to Bar Outgoing Calls on Unlinked Lines from 4th April, 2022 pic.twitter.com/ptsmYlWb74

— NIMC (@nimc_ng) April 4, 2022

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