The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has asked all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to complete the necessary SIM verification and linking to NINs by September 14, 2024.
Mr Reuben Muoka, NCC’s Director of Public Affairs released a statement on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the decision was issued to ensure full compliance with the NIN-SIM linkage policy.
It stated that the NCC was pleased to report strong progress toward the Federal Government’s 2020 policy of linking all Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) to National Identity Numbers (NINs).
Also, the statement insists that over 153 million SIMs have been successfully linked to their NINs, resulting in an excellent 96% compliance rate, up from 69.7% in January 2024.
The statement reads; “As we approach the final phase of this critical process, the NCC seeks the continued cooperation of all Nigerians to achieve 100 percent 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,”
However, According to the commission, the NCC has uncovered alarming cases.
