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By Emmanuel Adeleke
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have announced a strategic collaboration aimed at enhancing National Identification Number (NIN)- Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) linkage processes.
The announcement was made in a statement jointly signed by the Technical Adviser, Media and Communications to the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Ayodele Babalola, and the Director of Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Reuben Muoka, on Sunday.
The NIN-SIM linkage exercise has recently become the subject of national discourse, reflecting the critical importance of aligning SIM registrations with individuals’ unique NINs.
Recognising the significance of this initiative in enhancing security and improving service delivery, both commissions said they were committed to improving processes and enhancing efficiency.
Under this collaboration, NIMC and NCC said focus would be on streamlining the NIN-SIM linkage process, capacity building and public awareness, data verification and validation, policy harmonisation and the regulatory framework.
“NIMC and NCC will collaborate to ensure a seamless experience for Nigerian telecommunications subscribers. This includes exploring innovative approaches to facilitate the swift verification and authentication of NINs during SIM registration and activation processes.
“Both agencies will collaborate on initiatives aimed at enhancing 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.
“NIMC will continue to extend its support to NCC by providing assistance in verifying National Identification Numbers (NINs) associated with SIM registrations. Leveraging NIMC’s robust database and authentication infrastructure, telecommunications operators will validate submitted NINs while ensuring the accuracy and integrity of subscriber data.
“NIMC and NCC will collaborate on aligning policies and regulatory frameworks to facilitate the seamless integration of NIN-SIM linkage processes within the telecommunications ecosystem. This includes harmonising data protection and privacy regulations to safeguard the confidentiality and security of subscriber information,” the statement read.
Also, the agencies said the will prioritise the interests of Nigerians and promote national development.
“By pooling our resources and expertise, we aim to overcome the challenges associated with the NIN-SIM linkage exercise and ensure its continued successful implementation,” the statement said.