Following the hues and cries that greeted the directives given by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to the telecommunications operators in the country to block all SIM cards that are not registered with the National Identity Numbers (NIN), the federal government has finally reacted.
Punch reports that federal government on Monday, December 21, extended the deadline for the provision of a NIN by telecommunication service subscribers.
This was contained in a statement issued by the federal ministry of communications and digital economy.
The statement was jointly signed by the Executive Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Umar Danbatta; and director-general, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Aliyu Aziz.
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.
