By Martin Ekpeke
With the September 14 deadline for linking SIM cards to National Identification Numbers (NINs) having passed, telecommunications operators in Nigeria are poised to begin disconnecting mobile lines that remain unlinked.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has stated that no SIM card will remain active without a verified NIN from September 15 onwards. Subscribers who have yet to complete the linkage process or have faced verification issues are urged to visit their service providers promptly to update their details.
As of March 2024, data from the NCC showed that 219 million active lines were in operation across major mobile networks like MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile. While 153 million of these lines had already been linked to NINs, approximately 66 million lines were still at risk of disconnection.
Meanwhile, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced that the number of Nigerians with NINs has reached 110 million. This represents a significant increase from the 107.34 million recorded at the end of May 2024.
The NIMC Director General, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, attributed this achievement to the strategic plan implemented by the current management. She emphasized the indispensable role of digital public infrastructure (DPI) in Nigeria’s economic development, connecting citizens to essential services like social welfare, healthcare, education, and financial inclusion.
The NIMC DG highlighted the Student Loan Initiative as an example of how DPI can eliminate financial barriers to education. By collaborating with 257 institutions, the initiative has registered 332,715 students for loans and made payments to over 18,000 students.
As the deadline for SIM card disconnection approaches, Nigerians are encouraged to prioritize linking their SIM cards to their NINs to avoid service interruptions.