The Federal Government on Monday announced an extension of the deadline issued to all telecommunications operators in the country to block all SIM cards without National Identification Number (NIN).
Recall that the NCC had last week ordered telecommunications companies to suspend phone subscribers who have no NIN by the end of the year.
However, a statement on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy titled, ‘Extension of Registration Period and Cancellation of USSD and Verification Fees’, and jointly signed by the Executive Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Umar Danbatta; and Director-General, National Identity Management Commission, Aliyu Aziz, states that the registration date has been extended to give Nigerians more time to register while also following COVID-19 guidelines.
It read, “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.”
“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 further stated, “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.”