The Nigerian government has given some explanation why it approved the extension of the NIN-SIM Verification Deadline to July 26.
In a statement jointly signed by Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Affairs at the Nigerian Communications Commission and Mr. Kayode Adegoke, Head, Corporate Communications at the Nigeria Identity Management Commission, the government said the decision to extend the deadline was made after a request by stakeholders on the need to consolidate the enrolment and NIN-SIM verification process following the rapid increase in the number of enrolment systems across the country.
The statement disclosed that as of June 28, 2021, a total of 5,410 enrolment systems are now available across the country and this would significantly ease the NIN enrolment process and subsequent linkage of NIN to SIM, stressing it is worthy of note that there were only about 800 such enrolment systems as at December 2020.
“The Federal Government has approved the extension as part of its effort to make it easier for its citizens and residents to obtain the NIN and it is important to take advantage of the extension. There are now a total of 57.3 million unique NIN enrolments, with an average of 3 to 4 SIMs per NIN. With the great number of enrolment centres across the country, every citizen and legal resident should be able to obtain their NINs,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami has on behalf of the Federal Government appreciated Nigerians for their patience and compliance with the Federal Government’s directive on the NIN-SIM registration exercise.
Also, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof Umar Dambatta, and the Director-General/CEO of that National Identity Management Commission, Engr Aliyu Azeez, have urged citizens and legal residents to make sure they use the opportunity to complete the process of enrolment and verification.
