Mr Pantami further stated that “a robust SIM Identity Management Solution should be deployed for effective implementation.”
The federal government suspended the registration of new SIMs in December 2020 but lifted the ban with effect from April 19.
Pre-registering a SIM card is an offence punishable under relevant regulations in the telecom sector and constitutes a breach of national security.
The administration said non-compliance with directives to integrate the identity number to phone lines will result in deactivation of phone lines.
“Thus, if there are 43 million Nigerians with NINs, this could account for about 172 million SIMs already linked to NINs,” Mr. Aside said.
Mr. Elumelu said the directive may lead people to stampede in the process of rushing to get registered.
