FG extends deadline for NIN provision by subscribers - ITREALMS

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The Federal Government has extended the deadline for the provision of National Identification Number (NIN) given to the telecommunication service subscribers to update theirs with operators of get blocked, reports ITREALMS.

A press statement on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy sighted by ITREALMS, entitled “Extension of Registration Period and Cancellation of USSD and Verification Fees,” was jointly signed by the Executive Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta; and Director-General, National Identity Management Commission, Engr. Aliyu Aziz.

Part of the statement, read: “The National Task Force on National Identification Number and SIM Registration met today, 21st December, 2020.

“The meeting was chaired by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami with major stakeholders in the sector including Chairman – NCC, EVC-NCC, DG-NITDA, DG-NIMC, ECTS/ECSM-NCC, Chairman ALTON, CEOs of MTN, Airtel, Ntel, Glo, Smile and 9moble in attendance.

“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; and Six (6) weeks extension for subscribers without NIN from 30th December, 2020 to 9th February, 2021.”

The statement further stated: “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.”

ITREALMS recalls that NCC had ordered telecommunications companies to within two weeks suspend phone subscribers who have no NIN.

Equally reported that large crowds had besieged NIMC offices in Lagos on Monday in a bid to register and obtain their NINs.

Just most industry watchers and stakeholders have  Nigerians expressed concerns over the duration which they largely described as insensitive directive of the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, which had been said to be over-stepping into the independency of NCC as telecom regulator.

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