Nigeria can now trace criminals as NCC claims NIN-SIM linkage completion

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has revealed that it has completed the linking of all phone numbers in the country to a National Identification Number (NIN).

This was revealed by the Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, Aminu Maida, at the 2024 Yearly Corporate Governance Conference, held in Lagos on yesterday.
Maida, who acknowledged the challenges faced by Nigerians during the process, stressed the significance of the concluded NIN-SIM linkage initiative, stating that the Federal Government’s policy will help curb crime and insecurity in the country.

He said: “We have recently concluded the implementation of the Federal Government’s 2020 policy of linking every phone number to a NIN. Though it was a bit painful for Nigerians, I think we also need to appreciate what this does for us.

“Today, there is no phone number that we cannot associate with a verified NIN. Not just a number, but a number that has been verified.” Maida said while some may question the authenticity of the linked identities, the initiative is an important starting point for accountability.

“If this phone number is involved in fraud or any crime, I can now authoritatively say, based on the NIN linked to it, this is the person who is using that phone number.” he said.

Earlier before now, the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, had told The Guardian that all SIMs can now be traced to their NINs and criminals apprehended.

Adebayo however, said SIM registration continues, “but it means no SIM can be activated in the country without a NIN. The completion of the exercise won’t stop activation of new SIMs in the country.

“Also, those whose lines were barred can still go to the outlets within stipulated time, complete the necessary requirements as stated by the policy and get their SIMs re-activated. That can only be done when the operator certified them completed and satisfactory.’

The NIN-SIM linkage policy began in December 2020, following a Federal Government directive to telecommunication companies to block unregistered SIM cards and those not linked to NINs.

Prior to the success recorded, the NCC had struggled to implement the policy as it consistently revised the deadline many times to allow Nigerians to comply with the directive.

On August 28, the agency announced September 14 as the “final deadline” for the NIN-SIM linkage exercise after an attempt to block unlinked lines in July triggered violence in some parts of the country.