NCC extends NIN-SIM verification deadline

Telecom operators have been directed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to extend the NIN-SIM verification beyond the July 31, 2024 initial set as the deadline.

Last week, the commission directed the telecom operators to reactivate mobile lines barred due to NIN-SIM verification issues.

Many telecom subscribers/consumers who were affected by the barring could access their phone lines because of their inability to verify their National Identification Numbers (NINs) with their Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs).

The compulsory linkage of NIN with SIM began in December 2020 when the government directed telecommunication companies to bar unregistered SIM cards and SIMs that were not linked to NIN was scheduled to end July 31, 2024, after several deadline reviews.

A top NCC official who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the deadline was extended because of the present situation in the country.

According to him, “The situation might prevent the telecom subscribers from accessing the telecom operators’ shops to do their SIM-NIN verification.

“I don’t know when exactly the new deadline will be, they (operators) have been directed not to bar any line until the new deadline is communicated to them”, the official told our reporter.”

The NCC’s spokesman, Reuben Mouka could not be reached yesterday afternoon as his line was not connecting.