NCC imposes a halt on SIM card sales for unregistered numbers requiring NIN, effectively suspending their use.
The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has announced a new order that will require all mobile network subscribers to link their SIM cards with a National Identity Number (NIN) by December 30th. This is not the first time such a regulation has been imposed, as a similar requirement for digital identification procedures with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) was implemented in January 2020.
The decision to block mobile services for non-compliant users has attracted public criticism, with concerns about potential financial loss for network providers and a decrease in tax returns. The NCC, however, argues that the need to acquire NIN is an 'urgent drastic measure' to improve the integrity and transparency of the SIM registration process.
The NIN is a crucial aspect of identity verification in Nigeria, previously mentioned as a compulsory requirement for students writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). It is also tied to the Nigerian passport. SIMs without NIN will be blocked, and non-compliant network operators could lose their licenses.
Despite the importance of the NIN, only 38% of Nigerians have any form of identification, according to the NIMC. The existing process for getting a national identity number is time-consuming and involves manual input of information at NIMC centers. However, the NIMC is working on a mobile app that will allow citizens to link their SIM cards to their NINs themselves.
The delay in issuing national identity cards is typical of government institutions in Nigeria, which explains why many Nigerians do not have their NINs. The Nigerian government has shifted focus from physical national identity cards to digital ones, with registered persons' identities attached to their database.
It's important to note that many Nigerians already have other means of identification, such as Bank Verification Number (BVN), drivers' license, and international passport. The NIN is required despite these existing identification methods. As of May 2020, only 41.5 million of Nigeria's estimated 198 million active mobile lines have registered for identity cards, which is less than a quarter of the country's population.
The NCC issued a statement on the 15th of December, ordering the suspension of SIM card registration by all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Nigeria. This measure was initiated to be enforced starting from the new year as a way to reduce anonymity that could be exploited for criminal activities. The USSD code *346# can be used by mobile users to retrieve their national identity number, but it attracts a ₦20 charge.
The NCC's decision has sparked debates about the effectiveness of the current national identity management system and the need for improvements. The exact issues with the existing process for getting a national identity number are not specified in the article. Nonetheless, the NCC's move aims to enhance security measures by ensuring that mobile users are verified through national identity data.
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