NCC lauds stakeholders on milestones of NIN-SIM registration
- Targets 65% NIN penetration
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has applauded the commitment of stakeholders following the attended benefits that the nation now enjoys over the implementation of the National Identity Number and SIM card compulsory registration after the apprehensions witnessed at inception from Nigerians.
The NCC announced that the project that was aimed at ensuring that there is a reliable national identity that is linked to the individual SIM card has become a success story for the Commission as well as all stakeholders in the telecoms industry.
The success story was resonated at a webinar with the theme: “Citizen Identity Management in a Digital Economy”, organized by the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) to acquaint the public about the role of the telecommunications sector in the digital economy.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, speaking at the webinar which was monitored by Gentechnews from Lagos, Nigeria, stated that the NIN Policy for SIM Registration is the most effective driver of NIN enrolment as well as the development of a credible digital identity database for the country.
Danbatta whose keynote address was delivered by Mrs. Abigail Sholanke, NCC’s Director of Projects, disclosed that 37% of NIN enrolments recorded during the 8 years since NIN the enrolment began was accomplished by leveraging the telecommunications industry.
Danbatta said: “Since commencement of the NIN policy in the Telecommunications Industry, we have witnessed tremendous growth in NIN enrolment from 40 million in December 2020 to over 63 million as at August 2021 (i.e. 23 million citizens enrolled in the past 9 months).”
The EVC explained that although NIN penetration currently stands at 29.7% of the population, with the deployment of the Android Enrolment solution by NIMC, there should be rapid growth of MNO NIN enrolment centres which will translate to exponential growth in NIN enrolments.
According to him, a target 65% NIN penetration in the coming months in order to unlock the economic potentials of the digital economy has already been set.
“We are aware that vast resources have been deployed by MNOs to facilitate the accelerated growth of the national identity database,” he added.
Danbatta commended the MNOs for their collaboration and contributions towards the milestones achieved so far with respect to NIN enrolment as well as those that will be achieved going forward.
He reiterated the commitment of the Commission to the stakeholders that as the telecoms regulator in the industry it will continue to guide and support the industry by providing the necessary regulatory frameworks to ensure the growth of the Digital Identity and Digital Economy ecosystem.
On his part, the Director General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr Aziz Aliyu hinted that the discussion on proper identity management and role of telecom service providers and the citizens in general was apt as a result of the success recorded with the SIM-NIN integration.
Aliyu said “Over 150 countries now require identification for the purchase of SIM Cards. Data efficiency and a richer customer profile are required to prompt loyal and stronger relationships, ultimately simplifying access to services.
“We believe that with broadband, smartphones, virtual access and digital identity, there will be no limit for us in this market.” Convener of the Webinar and chairman of ALTON, Engineer Gbenga Adebayo, stated that all hands would be on deck to ensure the set of 65% NIN penetration in the coming months is achieved in order to unlock the economic potentials of the digital economy.
