Henceforth telecom Operators are to require all their subscribers to provide valid National Identification Number (NIN) to update SIM registration records.
Subscribers are also expected to submit their NIN within two weeks from 16 to 30 December, 2020 after the deadline, All SIMs without NINs are to be blocked from the networks.
This is in line with earlier directive on the suspension of new SIM registration by telecom network operators, a directive given by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.
At a stakeholders meeting attended by Management of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), as well as the CEOs and Management staff of all service providers in the industry the need to consolidate the achievements of last year’s SIM registration audit and improve the performance and sanity of the sector was discussed and all stakeholders agreed that urgent drastic measures have now become inevitable to improve the integrity and transparency of the SIM registration process.
It was also agreed that a Ministerial Task Force comprising the Minister and all the CEOs among others as members is to monitor compliance by all networks and violations of this directive will be met by stiff sanctions, including the possibility of withdrawal of operating license.
Telecom subscribers were also urged to ensurethat their NINs are captured in their SIM registration data.
