The Federal Government has once again approved the extension of the deadline for National Identity Number (NIN)-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) data verification from July 26, 2021, to October 31, 2021.
The extension of the deadline follows a request by stakeholders to accommodate registration in hard-to-reach remote areas, foreigners and diplomatic missions, diaspora and address low enrolments in schools and hospitals, as shown by enrolment statistics.
The decision also came after a review of the progress of the exercise which indicated significant progress, hence the need to consolidate the gains of the enrolment and NIN-SIM verification process across the country.
This disclosure is contained in a statement jointly signed by Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Dr Ikechukwu Adinde and Head, Corporate Communications, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Mr Kayode Adegoke, on Sunday in Abuja.
The statement said that there were presently a total of 59.8 million unique NIN enrolments, with an average of 3 to 4 SIMs per NIN in the country adding that as at July 24, 2021, there are more than 5,500 enrolment systems within and outside the country to ease non-enrolment process.
The statement reads, “As at July 24, 2021, there are over 5,500 enrolment systems within and outside the country and this will significantly ease the NIN enrolment process and subsequent linkage of NIN to SIM.
“The government has approved the extension as part of efforts to make it easier for its citizens within and outside the country and legal residents to obtain the NIN and it is important to take advantage of the extension.
“The NIN-SIM linkage also makes it easier for security agencies to carry out their statutory duties and the relevant parastatals under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy are supporting them as required.
“With the great number of enrolment centres within and outside the country, and many more coming up, every citizen, legal resident and Nigerian citizens living in diaspora should be able to obtain their NINs.’’
The statement also said that the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami commended the Kano State government and other states that had made NIN a key requirement for school enrolments and access to other important services.
Pantami also expressed the Federal Government’s excitement with the use of NIN in the process of the JAMB examination and appreciated Nigerians for their patience and compliance with Federal Government’s directive on the NIN-SIM registration.
The statement also quoted the Executive Vice-Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta and the Director-General of NIMC, Mr Aliyu Azeez as urging citizens and legal residents to make sure they used the opportunity to complete the process of enrolment and verification before the Oct. 31 deadline.
– Nairametrics