FG bows to pressure, extends NIN registration deadline

The Federal Government has announced the extension of deadline for telecommunication service subscribers to register for National Identification Numbers and verify them for the purpose of linking them to their SIM cards.

A statement by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy on Monday gave the extension period as three and six weeks for those with NIN and those without NIN respectively.

The NCC last week directed telecommunications companies to within two weeks block telephone subscribers’ SIM cards without NIN.

The House of Representatives and other Nigerians had expressed concern over the directive and asked that the deadline be extended.

The Monday’s statement titled, ‘Extension of Registration Period and Cancellation of USSD and Verification Fees’, was jointly signed by the Executive Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Umar Danbatta; and Director-General, National Identity Management Commission, Aliyu Aziz.

It stated, “The National Task Force on National Identification Number and SIM Registration met today, 21st December, 2020.

“The meeting was chaired by the Honourable 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.”

It specifically stated, “Based on the endorsement of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the following resolutions were made: three (3) weeks extension for subscribers with NIN from 30th December, 2020 to 19th January, 2021; and six (6) weeks extension for subscribers without NIN from 30th December, 2020 to 9th February, 2021.”

The statement also said the COVID-19 protocols such as the use of face masks maintenance of social distancing would be enforced during the registration.