The Nigerian telecoms regulator has extended the timeline for mobile phone operators to update SIM card registrations following a meeting on Monday with executives of telcos, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said.
Two weeks ago, the NCC in its website disclosed that the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) has directed the NCC to embark on another audit of the Subscriber Registration Database again.
The regulator directed telecoms firms to stop selling SIM cards while it audits compliance with SIM registration rules.
However, yesterday the NCC revealed that the National Task Force on National Identification Number (NIN) and SIM Registration met today. The meeting was chaired by the Dr. 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.
The regulator said it had extended registrations to January 19 from Dec ember 30 for providers to add valid NIN to every SIM card registered in the country.
Subscribers without a NIN attached to their SIM cards have until February 9, 2021, to register, the regulator said in a statement. The regulator has said SIM cards without a NIN attached will be blocked.
“The President appreciates Nigerians for their patience and commitment to update their Identities. The Federal Government also thanks all stakeholders for their compliance with the directives,” reads the NCC statement.
“President has also commended the efforts of the Task Force and urged all stakeholders to take advantage of the extension to link their SIM card with their NIN and USSD and verification charges remain suspended during these extensions.”
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