Aduragbemi Omiyale
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The deadline for the linking of SIM cards of subscribers to their National Identification Number (NIN) has been extended by the federal government by six weeks.
Mobile phone users were earlier given two weeks; from December 16, 2020, to December 30, 2020, to update their SIM registration with NIN or be disconnected from December 31, 2020, for failure to comply.
Many subscribers cried out over the short notice, especially because of the COVID-19 protocols put in place by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), which prohibited large gatherings.
But on Monday, the federal government bowed to pressure by extending the deadline to February 9, 2021, as confirmed in a statement released by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
In the statement jointly signed by the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr Umar Danbatta; and the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Mr Aliyu Aziz, it was explained that the decision came on the careful consideration of the COVID-19 fears.
“The National Task Force on National Identification Number and SIM Registration met today, 21st December 2020.
“The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami with major stakeholders in the sector including Chairman – NCC, EVC-NCC, DG-NITDA, DG-NIMC, ECTS/ECSM-NCC, Chairman ALTON, CEOs of MTN, Airtel, Ntel, Glo, Smile, and 9Moble in attendance.
“Based on the endorsement of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the following resolutions were made:
“Three weeks extension for subscribers with NIN from 30th December 2020 to 19th January 2021; and
“Six weeks extension for subscribers without NIN from 30th December 2020 to 9th February 2021,” the statement titled Extension of Registration Period and Cancellation of USSD and Verification Fees, read.
“NIMC has provided strategies to enable citizens attend the registration in full compliance with Covid-19 protocols – particularly the use of facemasks which remains mandatory and maintenance of social distancing,” it added.
