NCC Announces Completion of NIN-SIM Linkage Across Nigeria

NCC Announces Completion of NIN-SIM Linkage Across Nigeria

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced the completion of linking all phone numbers in the country to a National Identification Number (NIN).

Speaking at the 2024 Annual Corporate Governance Conference held in Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria, the Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, Aminu Maida, acknowledged the challenges faced by Nigerians during the process.

He also addressed the various difficulties encountered during the implementation, which required all phone numbers to be linked to verified NINs.

Maida emphasized the significance of the completed NIN-SIM linkage initiative, noting that the federal government’s policy will help combat crime and improve security in the country.

He said, “We have recently concluded the implementation of the federal government’s 2020 policy of linking every phone number to a NIN.

“Though it was a bit challenging for Nigerians, I think we also need to appreciate what this does for us.

“Today, there is no phone number that we cannot associate with a verified NIN. Not just a number, but a number that has been verified,” he stated.

The initiative, launched in December 2020 by the Federal Government, aimed to block unregistered SIM cards and those without linked NINs.