Nigeria has extended the deadline issued to all telecommunications operators in the country to block mobile phone lines without National Identification Number.
The extension formed part of the resolutions adopted at a meeting chaired by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, on Monday.
The Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, and the Director General, National Identity Management Commission, Aliyu Aziz, confirmed the development in a joint statement.
According to them, the meeting approved a three-week extension for subscribers with NIN, from December 30 to January 19, 2021.
Also, the meeting agreed that registration for subscribers without NIN should be extended by six weeks, from December 30 to February 9, 2021.
“NIMC has provided strategies to enable citizens [to] attend the registration in full compliance with COVID-19 protocols – particularly the use of face masks which remains mandatory and maintenance of social distancing.
“The president appreciated Nigerians for their patience and commitment to update their Identities; The federal government also thanked all stakeholders for their compliance with the directives.
“Mr. President has also commended the efforts of the task force and urged all stakeholders to take advantage of the extension to link their SIM card with their NIN. USSD and verification charges remain suspended during these extensions,” the statement said.
