NIMC, NCC move to ease Nigerians’ stress in NIN-SIM linkage processes

Business a.m.

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) are set to ease the difficulties faced by Nigerians while trying to fulfil the directive to link their mobile phone SIM registration with their National Identification Numbers (NIN).

In a joint statement issued over the weekend, both government agencies said a strategic collaboration has been set in motion to enhance processes related to the National Identification Number (NIM)-SIM linkage.

The two government agencies acknowledge how the NIN-SIM linkage exercise has become subject of national discourse which reflects the critical importance of aligning SIM registrations with individuals’ unique national identification numbers. 

“Recognising the significance of this initiative in enhancing security and improving service delivery, both NIMC and NCC are committed to improving processes and enhancing efficiency,” they said in the joint statement.

Jointly signed by Ayodele Babalola, the technical adviser, media and communication to the director general and chief executive officer of NIMC,  and Reuben Muoka, director, public affairs, NCC, the statement disclosed that both agencies with work closely collaboratively to explore synergies and leverage each other’s expertise and resources in four key areas.

The four areas of the collaboration between the two girls are in streamlining the NIM-SIM linkage process; capacity and public awareness work; data verification and validation; policy harmonisation and regulatory framework.

Providing explanations on these issues, both agencies said NIMC and NCC will collaborate to ensure a seamless experience for Nigerian telecommunication subscribers, including to explore innovative approaches to facilitate the swift verification and authentication of NINs during SIM registration and activation processes.

The agencies are to collaborate on initiatives aimed at enhancing public awareness and understanding of the NIN-SIM linkage requirements, adding that this will involve educational campaigns, training sessions for stakeholders, and the dissemination of accurate information to the public to encourage compliance with the linkage directives.

“NIMC will also continue to extend its support to NCC by providing assistance in verifying National Identification Numbers (NINs) associated with SIM registrations,” the statement further disclosed, adding that leveraging NIMC’s robust database and authentication infrastructure, telecommunication operators will validate submitted NINs while ensuring the accuracy and integrity of subscriber data.

On policy harmonisation and regulatory framework, they assured that they will collaborate on aligning policies and regulatory frameworks to facilitate the seamless integration of NIN-SIM linkage processes within the telecommunications ecosystem, noting that this includes harmonising data protection and privacy regulations to safeguard the confidentiality and security of subscriber information.

The statement stressed that both NIMC and NCC are committed to fostering a collaborative and transparent partnership that prioritises the interests of Nigerian citizens and promotes national development. 

“By pooling our resources and expertise, we aim to overcome the challenges associated with the NIN-SIM linkage exercise and ensure its continued successful implementation,” they added.