The Federal Government on Sunday approved the extension of the deadline for NIN-SIM data verification to October 31.
This is the sixth time the federal government has extended the exercise which began in December 2020.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) said in a joint statement on Sunday that the decision was due to request by stakeholders to accommodate registration in hard-to-reach remote areas, foreigners and diplomatic missions and Nigerians in diaspora.
“It also followed a review of the progress of the exercise which indicated significant progress hence the need to consolidate the gains of the enrolment and NIN-SIM verification process across the country,” the statement signed by NCC’s Director of Public Affairs Ikechukwu Adinde and NIMC Head of Media Kayode Adegoke, said.
It said there are over 5,500 enrolment systems within and outside the country “and this would significantly ease the NIN enrolment process and subsequent linkage of NIN to SIM.”
”With the great number of enrolment centres within and outside the country, and many more coming up, every citizen, legal resident, and Nigerian citizens living in diaspora should be able to obtain their NINs.
“There are now a total of 59.8 million unique NIN enrolments, with average of 3 to 4 SIMs per NIN.”
The statement urged Nigerians to take advantage of the extension to avoid their mobile lines from being blocked after the expiration of the exercise.
