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SIM/NIN registration: FG extends deadline for third time

The order came in the wake of serious public health concerns, following a surge in coronavirus cases across the country.

• February 2, 2021
Isa Pantami
Isa Pantami

Again, the federal government has extended the deadline for linking the National Identity Numbers (NIN) to their mobile phone lines.

A spokesman for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Ikechukwu Adinde, had told Punch on Tuesday morning that the development was authorised on Monday by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy of Nigeria, Isa Pantami.

Mr. Adinde disclosed that the NIN-SIM integration deadline, which was previously moved from December 30 to January 19 and recently extended by three weeks to February 9, was now scheduled for April 6 — another eight-week extension.

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) had directed residents in Nigeria, including diplomats, to comply with the SIM/NIN enrolment directive or risk deactivation of their phone lines.

The directive had left many Nigerians scrambling to obtain their NINs and link to their lines to avoid deactivation by telecom operators following an initial 14-day ultimatum issued by authorities last December.

The order came in the wake of serious public health concerns, following a surge in coronavirus cases across the country.

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