The Federal Government on Monday extended the registration period for the linking of National Identity Number (NIN) to telecom subscribers’ SIM cards.
FG had last week given all telecom subscribers in the country up to December 30 to get their NIN linked to their SIM registration or have their lines blocked.
But some weeks grace was given by the government on Monday when it extended the registration period for those with NIN to January 19 and those without NIN to February 9.
The National Task Force on National Identification Number (NIN) and SIM Registration gave the extension after its emergency meeting in Abuja, a statement from the Ministerial Task Force on the NIN to SIM registration said on Monday night.
The meeting which was chaired by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), according to the statement, was attended by major stakeholders in the sector including top officials of the agencies under the ministry and top telecom companies’ staff.
It said: “Based on the endorsement of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the following resolutions were made: Three (3) weeks extension for subscribers with NIN from 30th December, 2020 to 19th January, 2021.
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“Six (6) weeks extension for subscribers without NIN from 30th December, 2020 to 9th February, 2021.
“NIMC has provided strategies to enable citizens attend the registration in full compliance with Covid-19 protocols – particularly the use of facemasks which remains mandatory and maintenance of social distancing”.
The Task Force added that the USSD and verification charges remain suspended during these extensions.
