Have you heard? The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has insisted that the telecommunications companies must implement the disconnection order over Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) numbers not linked to National Identification Numbers (NIN).
The Nigeria Communications Commission has said by Friday, March 29, 2024, the directive to disconnect the lines should be implemented.
The initial phase took place on February 28, 2024. Subsequently, while the third phase is slated to begin on April 15, 2024.
For clarification, the National Identity Number (NIN) is a unique digital identifier for Nigerians that serves as the foundational database for the country. Nigerian citizens and legal residents are expected to have the NIN.
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) is the government agency responsible for the issuance and management of the National Identity Number (NIN).
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding SIM-NIN linkage as prepared by the NCC:
1. What is SIM-NIN Linkage?
It is a process of attaching telecom network user’s NIN to their phone number to validate the person who registered the SIM Card.
It is important that your phone number will not be linked to your NIN if the KYC (know Your Customer) information in your SIM Registration doesn’t match with the details of the NIN you submitted to your Service Provider.
2. Why Do I Need to Enroll for NIN?
The enrollment for NIN is a Federal Government Policy. The NIN is used to connect all the records about an individual’s identity into the National Identity Database. It is also used as a valid means of establishing or verifying an individual’s identity.
3. How Do I Enroll?
To register for NIN, you are advised to visit the nearest National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) enrolment center. NIMC has also approved for enrolment centres, such as network service providers – like MTN, Glo, Airtel, 9mobile, to enrol for NIN.
4. What is the Step-by-Step Approach to SIM linkage?
There are three key steps to SIM-NIN linkage as disclosed by the NCC.
- First, confirm your NIN (by either checking your NIN enrolment slip issued by NIMC or dialing *346#.
- Generate and submit your Virtual NIN (VNIN) to your network provider(s) via the online, USSD or other channels provided.
- Your Mobile Network provider will then validate the submitted NIN on NIMC database and link the SIM to NIN if validation is successful.
5. What is a Virtual NIN?
You might be one of those who were told to generate Virtual NIN to link your SIM. Well, Virtual NIN is an encrypted, coded representation (“disguised”) version of an individual’s actual NIN, which another party verifying the number cannot retain and use in a way that puts the individual’s data privacy at risk.
6. Is there a limited number of SIMs a Subscriber can link to NIN?
The NCC working with other government agencies like the office of the national security adviser issued a directive that a telecom service user can register a maximum of four (4) SIM cards per network operator. In other words, if you are using MTN, you can register only four SIMs, likewise with Glo, Airtel, 9mobile, Smile Communications, VDT and others that sell SIM cards in Nigeria.
For a corporate entity, the answer differs. A corporate entity can register any number of SIMs on the condition that all the SIMs are linked to the company representative’s NIN (Telecom Master) and linked to a secondary NIN (i.e. the NIN of the person assigned the SIM by the Corporate).
This SIM also counts towards the maximum of 4 SIMs that a person can have on a network.
Corporate IOT SIMs are only required to be linked to a Telecom Master’s NIN as they are restricted to only communicating with the Server or URL required for the Corporate to provide a service e.g. Car Tracking.
This is exclusive of SIMs that you may wish to use in your IOT devices.
7. Why do I need to participate in NIN-SIM linkage?
i. To mitigate identity fraud and other online crimes.
ii. To improve and enhance national security, as well as accelerating economic planning and development.
iii. To establish customer identity that will be useful for Know Your Customers (KYC) initiatives.
iv. To validate SIM card registration records and allow it to be used as a digital identity.
8. Can someone link my NIN-SIM card?
If we understand your questions, you are saying, ‘oh, I am not in Nigeria’, can a relative or friend or consultant link my NIN and SIM for me?
The answer is tentatively no. NCC has ruled out proxy NIN-SIM Linkage for individuals (except for Corporate Organization).
9. How do I know my SIM is linked to NIN?
Dial *996# or you will receive an SMS confirmation from your operator when your NIN has successfully been linked to your SIM Card.
10. I have registered and submitted my SIM for linking to my NIN, but I still got a message that my number has been barred. Why?
First, do not panic. If you did not receive a message from your service provider that your submitted NIN has been received, then your NIN submitted was not received by your service provider. Visit your service provider to rectify this.
[The FAQs were first published by the Nigerian Communications Commission]
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