Over 180 million telephone lines are now linked with the National Identification Number (NIN), while the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has captured over 60 million Nigerians on the NIN database.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has also reviewed its guidelines to include the use of NIN for SIM card registration while NIN must be provided for a SIM replacement.

Licensees also may retain the biometrics of subscribers. However, the Commission reserves the right to revoke this provision once there is a breach of confidentiality and integrity of the biometric data or other grounds the Commission may determine from time to time.

Under the existing regulations, licensees are not allowed to retain biometrics.

In addition, the activation window within which a subscriber acquires and activates a SIM card has been extended from one month to 60.

Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, disclosed this in Abuja, yesterday, at the public inquiry on SIM Replacement Guidelines, Draft Regulation of Telephone Subscribers Regulations and the Spectrum Trading Guidelines.

He noted that in view of the resolve of the Federal Government to tackle insurgency and insecurity through citizens’ identity management, it has become necessary to ensure that the provisions of the Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations and SIM Replacement Guidelines are in alignment with the national identification policy for SIM card registration and related activities.

(The Guardian)