By Jessica Dogo

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has cleared the air on speculations of impending mass disconnection of telephone subscribers.

The NCC said the speculations arose as a result of numerous publications in both the print and electronic media on the ongoing linkage of SIM registration records with the National Identity Number (NIN).

NCC Director, Public Affairs, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, made the clarification in a statement he issued late Wednesday in Abuja.

“Most of these publications are based on the erroneous assumption that for every network or SIM connection, there is one unique human subscriber.

“However, with the advent of social media and App-driven digital environment, network subscription went beyond human subscribers to include machines like PoS, Routers, WiFi devices, electricity meters, CCTV, tracking devices etc,” he said.

Adinde recalled that a recent survey conducted in Nigeria showed that there were approximately four to five SIMs to every human subscriber.

“This explains the basis of allowing the linkage of up to seven SIMs to one unique NIN in the recently launched Federal Government Portal.

“Thus, if there are 43 million Nigerians with NINs, this could account for about 172 million SIMs already linked to NINs.

“It is very important to emphasise that the current exercise of linking NIN to SIMs is for the common good of all Nigerians, as it has far reaching benefits.

“Apart from enhancing our general safety, this will help in such vital exercises like national budgeting, policy planning, social intervention programmes and many more, the statement said.

The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, had said that the Federal Government would continue to review the exercise in the light of experiences, to ensure its smooth implementation.   (NAN)

By Jessica Dogo

The Federal Government has approved a replacement policy for subscribers whose Subscribers Identification Module (SIM) may have been lost, stolen, misplaced or damaged.

Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and Mr Kayode Adegoke of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), jointly made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

Adinde explained that the policy was part of the government’s efforts to reduce the burden on subscribers and simplify the exercise so as to enable telecommunications services to the public.

He said that the Ministerial Task Force, under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, had set up a Technical Committee, made up of representatives of the NCC, NIMC, The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), to facilitate the policy.

Adinde added that the committee was also charged with the operationalisation of the process, to ensure an expedited linkage of all SIM Registration Records with the NIN.

Similarly, the minister had approved some conditions, based on recommendations of the Technical Committee, that required the subscriber to present a NIN, an effective verification of the NIN by NIMC, and adherence with the relevant Guidelines and Regulations of NCC, concerning SIM replacement.

According to him, the government’s drive to ensure all subscriber registrations were linked with NINs was on course and all stakeholders in the industry are working together to ensure a seamless process.

He said that the government sincerely appreciated Nigerians for the understanding and the commitment demonstrated towards ensuring the overall success of the exercise. (NAN)

By Jessica Dogo

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, has approved the development and release of an improved National Identity Number (NIN) slip and a mobile application that will help in securing NIN.

Dr Femi Adeluyi, Technical Assistant, Information Technology to the ministry, made this known in a statement late Thursday in Abuja.

Adeluyi said this development was part of the Federal Government’s Policy to improve the process of obtaining NIN and linking it to Subscribers Identification Module (SIM) and also aligning with the national digital economy policy for a digital Nigeria.

He said that the mobile application has been sent to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for implementation.

“The N20 and N40 fees for NIN verification by individuals and mobile network operators, respectively, were also waived.

“These efforts are aimed at supporting the policy to link subscribers’ NIN to their SIM, which was approved by the government earlier in the year and communicated to the NCC on Feb. 4, 2020.

“The highly anticipated Web Service (MWS) application called the NIMC mobile app and the improved NIN slip are now available for public use,” the minister’s aide said.

Adeluyi explained that the application provided a secure channel for all Nigerians and legal residents to easily verify and authenticate their identities on-the-go using smartphones, adding that it also enables them to link the NIN to their phone numbers.

He also said that the application offered a built-in harmonisation process that allowed its use across other government services including the NCC, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Federal Road Safety Commission and National Health Insurance Scheme, among others.

According to him, the new improved NIN slip is pocket friendly and an easy to verify version.

“It can be accessed via a self-service portal where people who already have been issued the NIN can log in, download a PDF of the document in color, if preferred, print and laminate as desired.

“The current NIN slip will remain valid and will be gradually phased-out,” he said.

He said that the application was already available on the Google Play store for Android users and App Store for IOS users.

The minister’s aide said that details on how to download and install the application and download the improved NIN slip were available on the websites and social media platforms of the Ministry and NIMC.

He said that users could also download the improved NIN Slip at https://dashboard.nimc.gov.ng.

He said that the minister had directed NIMC to respond to enquiries and also provide multimedia guides to make it easy for users to obtain their improved NIN slips and install the application.

He said that the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy remained committed to creating an enabling environment for all Nigerians and legal residents to obtain their digital identity number. (NAN)