The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended the deadline issued to all telecommunications operators in the country to block all Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) without National Identification Number (NIN).
This was announced in a statement on Monday after a meeting in Abuja, chaired by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami.
It was a reaction to the large crowds that had besieged the registration centers on Monday in Lagos and Abuja, amid the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It stated that the Federal Government has approved three weeks extension for subscribers with NIN from December 30 to January 19, 2021.
It added that registration for subscribers without NIN has also been extended by six weeks – from December 30 to February 9, 2021.
The statement read, “NIMC has provided strategies to enable citizens attend the registration in full compliance with COVID-19 protocols – particularly the use of facemasks which remains mandatory and maintenance of social distancing.
“The President appreciates Nigerians for their patience and commitment to updating their identities; the Federal Government also thanks all stakeholders for their compliance with the directives.”
