Over the weekend, telecommunication operators in Nigeria took action to bar no fewer than 40 million telephone lines following the expiration of the February 28, 2024 deadline set by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
This directive mandated telecom consumers to link their Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) to their National Identity Numbers (NINs).
This figure marks a significant increase from the initially planned deactivation of 12 million telephone lines by telcos, as instructed by the NCC.
In December 2023, the NCC issued a notice directing telcos to deactivate SIMs not linked to their owners’ NINs by February 28, 2024.
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Despite warnings from the NCC Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Mouka, about possible sanctions for non-compliance, the deadline was not extended.
To prevent the disconnection of mobile numbers, Saving Point Media has outlined a step-by-step guide on linking mobile numbers to NIN using the NIMC Personal Identity digital application:
- Download the NIMC Personal Identity application from Google Store or Apple Store.
- With the application, you can link up to 28 mobile numbers to your NIN.
- Input your 11-digit NIN on the NIMC Personal Identity page to proceed with the linkage.
- If you don’t know your NIN, retrieve it by dialing *346# or input your personal details in the app to search for it.
- Confirm your number once it’s found linked to your NIN, or indicate if you want to use another number.
- Receive an OTP via SMS, or dial 3642*NIN# if you don’t receive it.
- Input the OTP received to proceed and access your identity platform.
- Click on the icon indicating you can link your numbers and add them.
- Another OTP will be sent to the numbers you want to link; input it to complete the linkage process.
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