The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has set September 14, 2024, as the final deadline for Nigerians to complete the ongoing SIM-NIN linkage exercise. This directive, aimed at ensuring all active mobile lines are properly linked to a National Identification Number (NIN), comes after a series of deadline extensions.
With over 153 million SIMs already linked to NINs, reflecting a 96% compliance rate, the NCC is pushing to close the gap and achieve 100% compliance. The telecom regulator warned that any lines not linked by the September 14 deadline will be deactivated by the network operators.
In its directive, the NCC made it clear that by September 15, 2024, all SIM cards operating in Nigeria must be linked to a verified NIN. The Commission, in a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, emphasized the urgency of this final deadline, urging all subscribers to resolve any issues related to their NIN-SIM linkage before the cutoff date.
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“We urge all members of the public who have not yet completed their NIN-SIM linkage, or who have faced issues due to verification mismatches, to visit their service providers promptly to update their details before the deadline. Alternatively, the approved self-service portals are available for this purpose,” the NCC stated.
The Challenge of Information Mismatch
Despite the high compliance rate, millions of lines remain unlinked. As of March 2024, there were 219 million active lines across the networks of MTN, Globacom, Airtel, and 9mobile, indicating that a substantial number of subscribers have yet to complete the NIN-SIM linkage.
A significant hurdle in achieving full compliance has been the issue of information mismatches during the verification process. According to telecom operators, many subscribers have been unable to link their SIMs to their NINs due to discrepancies between the information they provided during their NIN registration and what is currently on record.
These mismatches can stem from various sources, including typographical errors, discrepancies in personal details such as name spellings or dates of birth, or inaccuracies in the initial data entry during the NIN registration process with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
The challenge is further compounded by the fact that subscribers are often unaware of the specific mismatched information. This lack of transparency leaves them unable to correct the errors, trapping them in a cycle of unsuccessful attempts to complete the linkage. For many Nigerians, this has resulted in repeated visits to telecom service centers, where they encounter long queues and, at times, conflicting instructions on how to resolve their issues.
The NCC acknowledged this challenge, noting that it has been a significant hurdle in achieving full compliance.
The journey to achieving full compliance has not been smooth. The compulsory NIN-SIM linkage began in December 2020, when the government mandated that all SIM cards be linked to an NIN to enhance security and curb criminal activities. However, the process has been fraught with delays and extensions, partly due to the sheer scale of the task and the issues encountered by subscribers during the linkage process.
In April 2024, the NCC set a deadline for full network barring for subscribers with unverified NINs, but this was extended to July 31, 2024, to give consumers more time. The current September 14 deadline is the final extension, according to the NCC, and it leaves little room for further delays.
In late July 2024, millions of subscribers found themselves unable to make or receive calls after their lines were barred for not being linked to verified NINs. This led to widespread frustration and chaos, as affected customers besieged telecom service centers in a bid to resolve their issues. The situation escalated to the point of violence in some locations.
The timing of the barring coincided with a planned nationwide protest, adding to the tension. In response, the NCC ordered telecom companies to temporarily reactivate the barred lines, providing subscribers with a limited window to complete the linkage process. This move was seen as a necessary step to avoid further unrest, but it also underscored the difficulties in enforcing the policy.
The Final Countdown
With the September 14 deadline fast approaching, the NCC is making it clear that there will be no further extensions. The goal is to ensure that all active lines in Nigeria are linked to a verified NIN, a move that the Commission believes is critical for national security and efficient telecom regulation.
While the NCC’s final push for compliance highlights the critical importance of the SIM-NIN linkage exercise in securing Nigeria’s digital space, the ongoing challenges underscore the need for improved data management and transparency in the NIN registration process. For many Nigerians, the success of this initiative will depend not only on their ability to link their SIMs but also on the government’s ability to address the underlying issues that have plagued the exercise from the start.
As the deadline approaches, it remains to be seen whether the NCC and telecom operators can overcome these challenges and achieve full compliance, or whether millions of Nigerians will find themselves cut off from their mobile networks due to unresolved data discrepancies.