Fear grips applicants over deadline for NIN/SIM linkage

The deadline set by the Federal Government for mobile subscribers to link their National Identification Numbers, NIN, with their mobile phone’s Subscriber Identity Module, SIM, cards, is tomorrow, Tuesday. The deadline stipulates that those who failed to carry out the instruction will have their phones disconnected from the network pending when they would be able to do so.

This has created anxiety among subscribers who complained that the process of getting NIN alone was so strenuous, making the deadline difficult to achieve. However, Vanguard reliably gathered that the deadline may be extended as relevant stakeholders met, on Monday, to review the deadline with a view to extending it. The extension would relieve subscribers of unnecessary tension.

The need for extension A reliable source at the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, told Vanguard that although he could not officially confirm the extension, it was likely what would happen. He said: “If you look at the way the NIN/SIM linkage regime has progressed, there is always an announcement when we attain a milestone.

“So, there is definitely going to be a statement after today (Monday). In fact, there is no need for subscribers to panic. There is every indication that the deadline will be moved,” he added. Another source at the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators in Nigeria, ALTON, an umbrella body of all telecom operators in Nigeria, confirmed that government and relevant stakeholders were meeting over what would happen after the deadline tomorrow.

According to the source, “there’s definitely going to be an extension. The government itself should know that deactivating subscribers in the manner intended, after the deadline will be counterproductive. “As we speak, a very serious meeting is going on between government and stakeholders to ensure the gains, made so far, in telecom development over the years are not wiped out through this single directive,” he said. Vanguard