Again, Pantami extends NIN-SIM registration deadline
For the fourth time, the federal government has extended the deadline for linking the National Identity Numbers (NIN) to mobile phone lines.
A statement by the spokesperson for the Nigerian Communications Commission, Ikechukwu Adinde, announced May 6, 2021, as the new deadline.
The announcement was made on Friday.
Mr Adinde explained that the decision to extend the deadline was taken at a Thursday meeting chaired by Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.
“The meeting took place on Thursday, April 1, 2021, and approval was given to extend the period of the NIN-SIM linkage to May 6, 2021. The request for the extension was presented to President Muhammadu Buhari, and he endorsed it,” said the statement.
The latest deadline followed the minister’s warning that Nigerians who failed to obtain the NIN risk heavy fines or jail term.
The NIN-SIM integration deadline was initially moved from December 30, 2020, to January 19, 2021, and later extended to February 9, and was moved again to April 6. May 6 is the latest deadline in quick succession.
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) had directed residents in Nigeria, including diplomats, to comply with the SIM/NIN enrolment directive or risk deactivation of their phone lines.
The directive had left many Nigerians scrambling to obtain the NIN and link it to their telephone lines to avoid deactivation by telecom operators following an initial 14-day ultimatum issued by the authorities last December.
The order came in the wake of serious public health concerns, following a surge in coronavirus cases across the country.
More from Peoples Gazette
NationWide
Important positions given to particular ethnic groups under Buhari: U.S.
People’s Gazette had in the past uncovered many actions that cast Muhammadu Buhari as a sectional leader.
NationWide
Nigeria needs healing, cleric says
“We no longer have dignity and respect for human life. We are now just living in suspicion of one another and this is very sad.”
States
Bandits kill two Miyetti Allah leaders in Nasarawa
The police said the unknown gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits attacked and killed the herders at about 7:00 p.m. on April 2.
NationWide
Yinka Odumakin is dead
The source said the late activist had been on ventilator for two weeks at an undisclosed medical facility.
Jos
Federal lawmaker, son, 2 aides die in road crash
A source close to the family also told NAN that the lawmaker was on his way to Jos for his wedding slated to hold on Sunday.
Africa
Nigerian, Ghanaian Speakers hold Zoom talks on traders dispute, other matters
The two speakers reached out to each other during a Zoom meeting on Friday.
