FG to link NIN with SIM registration of mobile network operations

The Federal Government disclosed over the weekend that it will make it compulsory for Nigerians to obtain the National Identification Number (NIN) as a prerequisite for owning a phone number.

This NIN mandate comes in as a result of the visa restrictions slammed on the country by the United States.

The Director of Public Relations, Ministry of Interior, Mohammed Manga, made this known in a recent statement.

Manga said the Committee on Citizens Data Management and Harmonisation suggested mandatory use of NIN by all Mobile Network Operations (MNOs) for issuance of Subscriber Identification Module (SIM).

The spokesman announced that this compulsory NIN registration will take effect from June 30, 2021.

The committee recommended exclusive storage of Biometric data in the National identity Database.

It advised the discontinuance of biometric data storage of new registration by all agencies and institutions.