AGS NEWS – The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has set September 14, 2024, as the final deadline for Nigerians to link their Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) to their National Identity Numbers (NINs).

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, the NCC directed all Mobile Network Operators to complete the mandatory NIN-SIM linkage by that date.

From September 15, 2024, no SIM in Nigeria will be allowed to operate without a valid NIN.

The NCC reported that over 153 million SIMs, representing a 96% compliance rate, have already been linked to NINs, a significant increase from 69.7% in January 2024.

The NCC urged those who have not yet completed the linkage or faced issues with verification mismatches to update their details with their service providers before the deadline. Self-service portals are also available for this purpose.

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The Commission also reminded the public that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIMs are criminal offences, punishable by imprisonment and fines.

The NCC emphasized that the complete linkage of SIMs to NINs is crucial for enhancing the security and trust of Nigeria’s digital economy.

This policy aims to reduce fraud, cybercrime, and support greater participation in digital banking and mobile money services.

The NCC, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the National Identity Management Commission, has identified cases of individuals possessing excessive numbers of SIM cards, some exceeding 100,000.

The Commission is committed to working with security agencies to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs and safeguard national security.