NIMC assures subscribers of portal stability as complaints mount

Director General of the National Identity Management Commission, Engr. Aliyu Aziz.

The National Identity Management Commission has reassured that its systems are working optimally to meet the needs of Nigerians for the NIN-SIM linkage deadline on September 14, 2024.

This assurance comes after the President of the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers, Adeolu Ogungbanjo, expressed worry that there were challenges in linking NIN to SIM cards, with many subscribers expressing frustration over slow speeds and congestion on the NIMC portal.

Ogunbanjo emphasised that the current portal issues hinder the successful completion of the NIN-SIM linkage before the deadline, stating, “The current situation will not meet the deadline if not addressed urgently.”

However, in a Thursday statement signed by the Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, NIMC said that all services, including NIN enrollment, verification, authentication, and modification of data, are running smoothly across its over 10,000 enrolment centres nationwide and in the diaspora.

“NIMC also wishes to inform Nigerians and legal residents that any applicant who wants to modify his or her NIN data can do so through the NIMC Self-Service portal, self-service modification.nimc.gov.ng. (Terms and conditions apply)

“Furthermore, NIN holders and applicants can make enquiries on NIN enrolment centres, processes and procedures for NIN data modifications, NIN verification issues and any other enquiries, via www.nimc.gov.ng,” the statement highlighted.

NIMC reiterated its commitment to providing excellent identity management services, zero tolerance for extortion and unethical practices, and free NIN enrolment.

“Any issues related to extortion or unwholesome practices can be reported to the NIMC customer care email or mobile number,” the identity regulator said.

Last month, the NCC announced the NIN-SIM linkage deadline, saying that over 153 million SIMs had been successfully linked to NIN—this represents a 96 per cent compliance rate.

However, ahead of the deadline next week, subscribers are worried that the remaining 4 per cent may not meet the deadline due to the challenges faced.

In March, the NIMC and the NCC formed a strategic collaboration in a move at enhancing processes related to the NIN-SIM linkage.

Both agencies said they would enhance public awareness and understanding of the NIN-SIM linkage requirements. This includes educational campaigns, training sessions for stakeholders, and the dissemination of accurate information to the public to encourage compliance with the linkage directives.

MTN Nigeria and Airtel Africa barred a combined 13.5 million lines in the first half of 2024, according to their financial results for the period ending June 30, 2024,

MTN reported in its half-year financial results that it barred 8.6 million lines, while Airtel announced that 8.7 million customers had been verified since the NCC’s directive.

However, Airtel noted that 4.9 million customers remain unverified.

As of March 2024, data from the NCC shows that there were over 219 million active lines across the mobile networks of MTN, Globacom, Airtel, and 9mobile.