BREAKING: FG extends deadline for NIN enrollment to Feb 9th

By: Ayomide Arowobusoye

The Federal Government has extended the deadline issued to all telecommunications operators to disconnect all Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) without National Identification Number (NIN) in the country.

Recall that the government through the Ministry of Communications, had earlier given an ultimatum of 30th of December for Nigerians to connect their NINs to their SIMs.

Subscribers with NIN now have a three-weeks extension from December 30, 2020, to January 19, 2021 to enroll, and those without NIN now have till February 9, 2021 to register and enroll.

This was contained in a statement titled “Extension of Registration Period and Cancellation of USSD and Verification Fees” released today, December 21, 2020 by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

Read the full statement below:

The National Task Force on National Identification Number (NIN) and SIM Registration met today, 21st December, 2020. The meeting was chaired by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (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:

1. Three (3) weeks extension for subscribers with NIN from 30th December, 2020 to 19th January, 2021.

2. Six (6) weeks extension for subscribers without NIN from 30th December, 2020 to 9th February, 2021.

3. 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.

4. The President appreciates Nigerians for their patience and commitment to update their Identities; The Federal Government also thanks all stakeholders for their compliance with the directives.

5. Mr. President has also commended the efforts of the Task Force and urges all stakeholders to take advantage of the extension to link their SIM card with their NIN.

6. USSD and verification charges remain suspended during these extensions.

The statement was jointly signed by the Executive Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Umar Danbatta; and Director-General, National Identity Management Commission, Aliyu Aziz.