The Federal Government has extended the deadline issued to all telecommunications operators in the country to block all Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) without National Identification Number (NIN).
This was contained in a statement issued to newsmen on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
The statement titled, ‘Extension of Registration Period and Cancellation of USSD and Verification Fees’, was jointly signed by the Executive Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Umar Danbatta; and Director-General, National Identity Management Commission, Aliyu Aziz.
“Based on the endorsement of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the following resolutions were made:
“Six (6) weeks extension for subscribers without NIN from 30th December, 2020 to 9th February, 2021.”
The statement further stated, “NIMC has provided strategies to enable citizens attend the registration in full compliance with Covid-19 protocols – particularly the use of facemasks which remains mandatory and maintenance of social distancing.”
Large crowds had besieged NIMC offices in Lagos on Monday in a bid to register and obtain the National Identity Number.
Several Nigerians had expressed concern over the sudden directive of the Federal Government and had asked that the deadline given for the registration be extended.
