Yusuf Bello| The Federal Government on Monday extended the deadline for the provision of National Identification Number by telecommunication service subscribers by three weeks.
The extension was contained in a statement seen by Alabingo.com by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, jointly signed by the Executive Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Umar Danbatta; and Director-General, National Identity Management Commission, Aliyu Aziz.
The statement read, “The National Task Force on National Identification Number and SIM Registration met today, 21st December, 2020.
“The meeting was chaired by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami with major stakeholders in the sector including Chairman – NCC, EVC-NCC, DG-NITDA, DG-NIMC, ECTS/ECSM-NCC, Chairman ALTON, CEOs of MTN, Airtel, Ntel, Glo, Smile, and 9Moble in attendance.
“Based on the endorsement of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the following resolutions were made:
“Three (3) weeks extension for subscribers with NIN from 30th December, 2020 to 19th January, 2021; and
“Six (6) weeks extension for subscribers without NIN from 30th December, 2020 to 9th February, 2021.”
“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,” the statement added.
Alabingo.com reported last week that the NCC after a meeting with stakeholders given subscribers two weeks to register their NIN numbers with telecos, failure of which will lead to suspension of such lines.
Following outcry from Nigerians over the sudden directive, the House of Representatives directed that the deadline be extended by ten weeks.
Earlier on Monday, NIMC offices in Lagos were shut down by authorities after being besieged by Nigerians who wanted to register and obtain the National Identity Number.
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