No doubt, in the past few months, many Nigerians have been subjected to the tormenting experience of waiting in long queues, to obtain the National Identification Number (NIN). This has been followed by a series of deadlines just to allow Nigerians link all phone lines with NIN. An experience many Nigerians have described as being stressful, throwing most into panic, as they scamper to meet deadlines.However, a compassionate Federal Government through Nigerian Communications Commission and National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has drawn back a little with a series of deadlines, to allow Nigerians register, thereby easing their stress. In turn, the Nigerian Government has commended its citizenry for their patience and compliance with the directive on the NIN-SIM registration exercise.This is contrary to critics’ claims that the NCC’s new directive when considered under jurisprudential microscope, seems impracticable and unreasonable, lacking in empathy and consideration; and seems to be the opposite of what good law should portray. The Federal Government has exhibited every sense of ‘reasonability’ and has shown empathy all the way, by many extensions of the process. There has not been any clamp down!According to the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, there will be no potential infringements upon rights to privacy, freedom of association and freedom of expression. This goes a long way to allay fears being nursed by many.Though, majority of Nigerians are yet to be captured in this humongous exercise, which puts them at the risk of contracting the dreaded Covid-19, the Federal Government has gone back to the drawing table to strategize and re-strategize.There is no doubt that the Federal Government through the Nigerian Communication Commission has been on top of its game, as per the National Identity Number (NIN)-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) data verification. Just this past week, the agency approved the extension of the deadline to October 31, 2021. The whole process started on 15th December 2020, when NCC issued a directive titled “Implementation of New SIM Registration Rules” to all mobile network operators, to deactivate all SIM cards which have not been linked with a valid national identity card in 14 days with effect from December 16, 2020. The consequences of non-compliance with this directive include the blocking of any SIM without National Identification Number (NIN) from the networks, and the possibility of withdrawal of operating licenses of Network Operators. The present administration of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has not hesitated to approve extension of the process. This is part of efforts to make it easier for its citizens within and outside the country, and legal residents to obtain the NIN and it is important to take advantage of the extension.Indeed, many have come out to applaud the extension. The regulatory body said the extension is part of the federal government’s effort to make it easier for citizens and residents to obtain the NIN and advised that it is important to take advantage of the extensionThe agency has eased many stringent conditions, while it has been firm on some of its decisions to ensure the smooth transition of the whole process. One of such conditions, is that foreigners residing or employed in Nigeria for less than two years are exempted from the mandatory national identification number (NIN) and subscriber identity module (SIM) integration exercise. A policy that has been applauded by many. At least, as a Nation, a stringent policy should be put in place for the benefit of all.Though, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in January 2021 announced that all foreigners residing in Nigeria are required to participate in the NIN-SIM exercise. NIMC advised all expatriates resident in Nigeria to visit its nearest enrollment centre to enroll and obtain their NIN in order to complete their NIN-SIM integration.This means that Foreigners validly transiting through Nigeria or employed in or reside in Nigeria for less than 24 months are exempted from the mandatory use of NIN requirement. Additionally, persons in this category need to provide justification that they will be residing in Nigeria for less than 2 years. Foreigners with Visitor’s visas (with visa less than 2 years) do not require a NIN. Operators will capture the following on their records: International passport bio-data page; and Visa page.In a statement, NCC said the decision to extend the deadline was made following a request by stakeholders to accommodate registration in hard-to-reach remote areas, foreigners and diplomatic missions, diaspora and address low enrolments in schools and hospitals, as evidenced by enrolment statistics. This will in turn ensure that the process of the NIN-SIM data verification is not futile.The decision also followed a review of the progress of the exercise which indicated significant progress, hence the need to consolidate the gains of the enrolment and NIN-SIM verification process across the country.The NIN-SIM registration will apparently improve the integrity and transparency of the SIM registration process, by building a widespread digital identity database, and improve our national security. The directive to mandatorily link all SIM cards with NIN, issued by the government has garnered proper coordination amongst governmental agencies, unnecessary duplication of efforts and wastage of limited resources. Take for instance, as at July 24, 2021, there are over 5,500 enrolment systems within and outside the country and this would significantly ease the NIN enrolment process and subsequent linkage of NIN to SIM.The NIN-SIM linkage will make it easier for the security agencies to carry out their statutory duties and the relevant parastatals under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy are supporting them as required. Interestingly, there are now a total of 59.8 million unique NIN enrolments, with average of 3 to 4 SIMs per NIN. With the great number of enrolment centres within and outside the country, and many more coming up, every citizen, legal resident, and Nigerian citizens living in diaspora should be able to obtain their NINs.We should not shy away from the trickling effect of the process. It has prompted some State Governments to mandate NIN as a key requirement for school enrolments and access to other important services. In fact, the Federal Government was so excited at the news that the use of NIN in the process of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam significantly reduced the challenge of exam malpractice.This is a clarion call to citizens and legal residents to make sure they use the opportunity to complete the process of enrolment and verification before the October 31 deadline.
Olamide Adeniji is a member of the editorial team of TheScript Newspaper
