Nigeria’s government has directed telco’s to establish SIM Swap Replacement Centres across each of the 774 local government areas in the country plus authorities have extended MTN, GLO, Airtel and 9mobile NIN registration licenses to 5years
The government has approved an extension of tenure granted to Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), for NIN registration to 5years from the initial one year given earlier. The approval was given due to satisfactory performance of the initial licenses and to simplify the registrations process for Nigerians and legal resident.
The decision was an outcome of the 4th Review meeting of the Ministerial Task Force on the NIN-SIM registration chaired by Dr Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.
The Minister, further, appreciated Nigerians for being patient and complying with federal government directives on NIN-SIM registration exercises, adding that the registration has many benefits to the county and its citizens.
Resolving suspended sale and registration of SIM.
The minister authorised the technical committee to complete the development of a new SIM issuance strategy that cannot be compromised. He explained, “this will ensure that there is no repeat of the past process that was compromised through pre-registration by some agents.”
He informed telco’s with already existing service centres in important and critical locations to upgrade their centres in order to qualify as a SIM SWAP centre, so as to reduce the challenges associated with the SIM Swap/Replacement process. “The purpose is to bring SIM Swap Centres closer to Nigerians regardless of their location,” he said.
Meanwhile, a Multi-Sectoral Adhoc Committee was tasked to immediately complete the review of the processes for new SIM activations for legal residents staying in Nigeria for less than 24 months.
The membership of the Committee was drawn from NCC, NIMC, Nigeria Immigration Service and the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON).
