Nigerian Communications Commission Sets September 14 Deadline For Full National ID Number-SIM Linkage Compliance

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has set September 14, 2024, as the final deadline for complying with the National Identity Number (NIN) and Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) linkage policy.

This directive marks the culmination of the Federal Government's 2020 initiative to link all SIMs to NINs, a move aimed at enhancing the security and integrity of Nigeria's digital economy.

According to the Reuben Muoka, NCC Director of Public Affairs in a statement on Wednesday, said over 153 million SIMs had been successfully linked to NINs, reflecting a 96 percent compliance rate—a significant rise from the 69.7 percent recorded in January 2024.

Despite this progress, the NCC is urging Nigerians to ensure 100 percent compliance before the deadline, stressing the importance of this linkage in reducing fraud, cybercrime, and supporting financial inclusion.

The Commission also revealed that through collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), cases of individuals possessing excessively high numbers of SIM cards, with some exceeding 100,000, have been uncovered.

The NCC remains committed to working with security agencies to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs, which pose significant risks to national security.

Effective September 15, 2024, any SIM operating in Nigeria without a valid NIN will be deactivated.

The NCC has directed all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to complete the mandatory verification and linkage of SIMs to NINs before this date.

The NCC has also reminded the public that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIMs are criminal offenses, punishable by imprisonment and fines. Citizens are encouraged to report such activities to the Commission via its toll-free line (622) or through its social media platforms.

The NCC thanked the public for their continued cooperation and urged those who have not yet completed their NIN-SIM linkage or have faced verification issues to update their details promptly through their service providers or approved self-service portals before the deadline.

The statement reads, “The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is pleased to announce significant progress in the Federal Government's 2020 policy to link all Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) to National Identity Numbers (NINs).

“To date, over 153 million SIMs have been successfully linked to a NIN, reflecting an impressive compliance rate of 96 per cent, a substantial increase from 69.7 per cent in January 2024.

“As we approach the final phase of this critical process, the NCC seeks the continued cooperation of all Nigerians to achieve 100 per cent compliance. The complete linkage of all SIM cards to NINs is essential for enhancing the trust and security of our digital economy.

“By verifying all mobile users, this policy strengthens confidence in digital transactions, reduces the risk of fraud and cybercrime, and supports greater participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services. This, in turn, promotes financial inclusion and drives economic growth.

“Through collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the NCC has uncovered alarming cases where individuals possessed an unusually high number of SIM cards, some exceeding 100,000.

“The Commission also remains committed to working with security agencies and other stakeholders to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs, thereby safeguarding national security and ensuring the integrity of mobile numbers in Nigeria.

“To ensure full compliance with the NIN SIM linkage policy, the NCC has directed all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to complete the mandatory verification and linkage of SIMs to NINs by September 14, 2024.

“Effective September 15, 2024, the Commission expects that no SIM operating in Nigeria will be without a valid NIN.

“We urge all members of the public who have not yet completed their NIN-SIM linkage, or who have faced issues due to verification mismatches, to visit their service providers promptly to update their details before the deadline. Alternatively, the approved self-service portals are available for this purpose.

“The NCC also reminds the public that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIMS are criminal offences punishable by imprisonment and fines. We encourage citizens to report any such activities to the Commission via our toll-free line (622) or through our social media platforms.

“The Commission thanks the general public for its continued cooperation as we work together to strengthen Nigeria's digital ecosystem.”