Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have been granted an extension by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) until July 31st, 2024 to verify all National Identity Numbers (NIN) linked to subscribers with four (4) or fewer SIMs. Subscribers whose NIN fails verification with the National Identity Management Commission will be blocked. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licenced Telecommunication Operators, assured that members of the association will adhere to these regulations. Initial reports had indicated that the deadline was set for March 29, 2024.
As per the Commission, there are situations where one person is associated with more than 10,000 lines connected to their NIN. Other scenarios involve an individual having 1,000 lines, while some have over 3,000 lines. The Commission emphasized that its main goal was to purge the nation’s SIM ownership records and thwart criminals from exploiting unlinked SIM cards for illicit purposes. A recent report has revealed that Nigeria is on track to reach its goal of having 70 percent of its population enrolled in the NIN system by 2024.
NIN-SIM linkage offers huge benefits for law enforcement.
This initiative initially aims to boost the number of individuals with NINs within the country, issued by a strong and all-encompassing foundational Identification (ID) system that simplifies the citizens access to various services. In the most recent report from the World Bank, it was reported that NIMC has been advancing satisfactorily in its project implementation. Players in the telecommunications sector have strongly highlighted the primary advantage of linking NINs to SIM cards as safeguarding subscribers and deterring criminal behaviour.
Moreover, the NIN-SIM linkage offers a significant benefit in terms of law enforcement’s ability to track and apprehend criminals using their registered phone numbers. Adherence to the established rules is required for ownership of a phone line. In addition, the NIN-SIM linkage will streamline electronic financial transactions by simplifying identity verification for users, similar to how it works with debit cards. The NIN-SIM linkage is essential and must be carried out with strict discipline, particularly to address the significant issue of thousands of SIM cards being tied to a single individual.
Improve campaigns by incorporating a scientific approach.
It is important at this point to thoroughly review the campaigns that have been carried out to ensure true inclusivity across all social, geographical, and other relevant boundaries. One way to do this is through a carefully planned stakeholder mapping process. This mapping will help identify any inconsistencies or areas that need more focus and attention. Since all media types have already been used for conventional announcements, it may be beneficial to enhance subsequent dissemination by incorporating more rich and engaging media content.
The government has the option to improve campaigns by incorporating a scientific approach and tailoring media usage based on audience preferences and perceptions. This could involve empowering grassroots movements by collaborating with news broadcasters such as community and campus broadcasters. In addition to allowing the media to be more open, efforts should be focused on connecting campaigns with reputable programs that have a modern and well-managed image. This will help to increase their reach and ensure they remain accessible worldwide, utilizing platforms such as YouTube and Spotify.
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Enhancing NIN-SIM linkage campaigns and other future digital initiatives requires the participation of community and campus broadcasters, who are cost-effective but not technologically inferior. Supporting campaigns to promote Media and Information Literacy would be beneficial for the NCC. This approach has the potential to address various issues stemming from the digital divide. The NCC has shown great dedication to improving its corporate governance practices, aligning with the recommendations of IGF to strive for excellence in this area.