Chaos Ensues: Nigeria Faces Hurdles in NIN-SIM Linkage Rollout

Since the expiration of the February 28 deadline set by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for the linkage of National Identification Numbers (NINs) to SIM cards, over 40 million phone lines have been disconnected.

This move is part of the government’s Subscriber Identity Module-National Identification Numbers linkage policy introduced in December 2020.

The process is being spearheaded by two key Federal Government agencies: the NCC and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

The disconnection process was rolled out in phases, with the telcos barring about 40 million telephone lines after the February 28 deadline.

Despite the initiative’s aim to bolster security measures and enhance service delivery, Nigerians have encountered challenges during the exercise.

Long queues at enrollment centers, overwhelmed telecom agents, and technical glitches have plagued the process, making it difficult for many to link their SIMs to their NINs.

Some individuals have faced difficulties obtaining their NINs due to network issues and overcrowded enrollment centers.

Others were not even aware of the deadline until their phone lines were disconnected.

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Telecom agents have also been faulted for incomplete registrations, as they sometimes fail to gather all the necessary information from subscribers.

Valid View Network reports that Adeolu Ogunbanjo, President of NATCOMS, highlighted the challenges arising from incomplete registrations and network difficulties hindering data uploads to NIMC’s server.

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Despite these challenges, the NCC remains steadfast in its enforcement of the linkage policy, prompting warnings of legal action from groups like the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, expressed disappointment over security agencies’ failure to utilize the NIN-SIM linkage effectively in combating crime.

To address some of these issues, NIMC and NCC recently announced a strategic partnership aimed at simplifying the linkage procedures and improving efficiency nationwide.

They reaffirmed their dedication to enhancing security measures and service delivery, emphasizing the importance of aligning policies and regulatory frameworks to facilitate seamless integration within the telecommunications ecosystem.