The Federal Government has directed telecommunication companies to block any Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards not linked to a National Identification Number (NIN) from making calls from Monday, April 4, 2022.
The development was disclosed in a joint statement by the National Communications Commission and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) on Monday.
ALSO READ: How to link your NIN with all your SIMs without stress
Excerpts from the statement read, “As of date, over 125 Million SIMs have had their NINs submitted for immediate linkage, verification and authentication.
ALSO READ: ‘Grammys no show love’, lamentations as Wizkid misses out despite two nominations
“Similarly, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued over 78 Million unique NINs till date.
“It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, gave the directive for the implementation and commencement of the exercise in December 2020, as part of the administration’s security and social policies.
“The deadlines for the NIN-SIM linkage have been extended on multiple occasions to allow Nigerians to freely comply with the Policy. The FG also took into consideration the passionate appeals by several bodies – Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Civil Societies, Professional Bodies and a host of others – for the extension of the deadlines in the past.
ALSO READ: AK9 Abuja-Kaduna Train: NRC confirms safety of 14 more passengers
“Accordingly, Mr President graciously approved the many requests to extend deadlines for the NIN-SIM linkage. At this point, however, Government has determined that the NIN-SIM Policy implementation can proceed, as machinery has already been put in place to ensure compliance by citizens and legal residents.
The implementation impacts on the Government’s strategic planning, particularly in the areas of security and socio-economic projections.
ALSO READ: Here’s full list of nominees, winners and losers at the 64th Grammys
“President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the implementation of the Policy with effect from the 4th of April, 2022. Consequently, the Federal Government has directed all Telcos to strictly enforce the Policy on all SIMs issued (existing and new) in Nigeria. Outgoing calls will subsequently be barred for telephone lines that have not complied with the NIN-SIM linkage Policy from the 4th of April, 2022.
“Subscribers of such lines are hereby advised to link their SIMs to their NINs before the Telcos can lift the restriction on their lines. Affected individuals are hereby advised to register for their NINs at designated centres and thereafter link the NINs to their SIMs through the channels provided by NIMC and the Telcos, including the NIMC mobile App.
