- The recent disconnection of many Nigerian subscribers by telecommunications companies prompted a need to be informed on how to link NIN
- Linkage of NIN to phone numbers was made compulsory in 2020, following the agreement at the meeting on December 14, 2020
- TheRadar compiled the step-by-step process of how subscribers can link their phone numbers to their NIN
Recently, network service providers like MTN and GLO disconnected the Subscribers Identity Module (SIM) of some users for failure to link it with NIN (National Identification Number). This new development led to several reactions from the public.
The disconnection was initially meant to be April 15, 2024 but it was postponed to July 2024 by the Nigerian Communications Commission after considering the challenges by subscribers and plea for extension.
Recall that following the directive on the suspension of new SIM registration by network operators, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, convened a meeting of key stakeholders in the Communications industry on Monday, December 14, 2020.
“The meeting had in attendance the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Management of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), as well as the CEOs and Management staff of all service providers in the industry.
“At the meeting, the need to consolidate the achievements of SIM registration audit and improve the performance and sanity of the sector was exhaustively discussed and all stakeholders agreed that urgent drastic measures have now become inevitable to improve the integrity and transparency of the SIM registration process.”
To this end, the following decisions were made during the meeting, which were mandated to be taken for immediate implementation by all network operators:
i. Affirmation of the earlier directive to totally suspend the registration of new sim cards by all operators.
ii. Operators to require ALL their subscribers to provide valid National Identification Number (NIN) to update SIM registration records.
iii. The submission of NIN by subscribers is to take place within two weeks (from December 16, 2020, and end by December 30, 2020).
iv. After the deadline, ALL SIMs without NINs are to be blocked from the networks.
v. A Ministerial Task Force comprising the Minister and all the CEOs (among others) as members is to monitor compliance by all networks.
vi.Violations of this directive will be met by stiff sanctions, including the possibility of withdrawal of operating license.
In respect of this, it is pertinent that Nigerians know how to check if their numbers have been linked with NIN in order to avoid a similar inconvenient occurrence in the future.
Knowing your status regarding the linkage of NIN to your number will help you take the necessary steps to link it if necessary.
How to check your NIN status on all networks
TheRadar gathered the following information as regards the linkage NIN with phone numbers on the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) official website.
There are majorly three ways to achieve this, it is either you check directly on the NIMC site, using the unique code of each network provider, or visiting the nearest network network service centres.
1. Link NIN to your phone number through the NIMC Mobile ID App
Follow the following steps:
- Download the Mobile App at Playstore.
- Log in with your security pin on the App.
- Click on the “My Devices” button on the bottom right part of your dashboard on the app.
- Tap on ‘Add Mobile Number’ and input the mobile phone number you wish to link.
- Input the OTP sent to that mobile phone number.
- You are able to link up to seven (7) mobile phone numbers.
2. Using your network providers' unique codes
To link your NIN with your phone number on MTN, GLO, Airtel and 9mobile, dial *996#.
3. Visiting the Network Service Centres
You can also visit the nearest network service centres in your location to link your NIN.
“Be like say na from Mtn office protest go start”: Nigerians rage as network providers bar lines
Meanwhile, TheRadar recently reported that Network Service Providers disconnected thousands of users because they failed to link NIN with their phone numbers.
However, some Nigerians believe it is an attempt to prevent the upcoming Nationwide strike, which is scheduled to be held on Thursday, August 1, 2024. The affected Nigerian subscribers stormed MTN offices.
