Emma Okonji
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have announced a collaboration aimed at enhancing processes related to the National Identification Number (NIN) and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) linkage.
In a joint statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs at NCC, Mr. Reuben Muoka and the Technical Adviser, Media and Communications to the Director General of the NIMC, Ayodele Babalola, both government agencies said in recent times, the NIN-SIM linkage exercise had become subject of national discourse, underscoring the importance of the process.
Recognising the significance of the initiative in enhancing security and improving service delivery, both NIMC and NCC said they were committed to improving processes and enhancing efficiency, hence the strategic collaboration.
Under the collaboration, NIMC and NCC will work closely to explore synergies and leverage each other’s expertise and resources in key areas such as streamlining NIM-SIM linkage process; capacity building and public awareness; data verification and validation; and policy harmonisation and regulatory framework.
In the area of streamlining the NIN-SIM linkage process, NIMC and NCC said they would collaborate to ensure a seamless experience for Nigerian telecommunication subscribers, which include exploring innovative approaches to facilitate the swift verification and authentication of NINs during SIM registration and activation processes.
In the area of capacity building and public awareness, both agencies said they would collaborate on initiatives aimed at enhancing public awareness and understanding of the NIN-SIM linkage requirements.
They said that these include educational campaigns, training sessions for stakeholders, and the dissemination of accurate information to the public to encourage compliance with the linkage directives.
In the area of Data Verification and Validation, NIMC said it would continue to extend its support to NCC by providing assistance in verifying NINs associated with SIM registrations.
It added that leveraging NIMC’s robust database and authentication infrastructure, telecommunication operators will validate submitted NINs while ensuring the accuracy and integrity of subscriber data.
In the area of policy harmonisation and regulatory framework, NIMC and NCC said they would collaborate on align policies and regulatory frameworks to facilitate the seamless integration of NIN-SIM linkage processes within the telecommunications ecosystem, which include harmonising data protection and privacy regulations to safeguard the confidentiality and security of subscriber information.
Both agencies said they were committed to fostering a collaborative and transparent partnership that prioritise the interests of Nigerian citizens 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 joint statement said.
