The Federal Government has extended the deadline for the provision of National Identification Number by telecommunication service subscribers.

This was contained in a statement by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy .

The statement titled, ‘ Extension of Registration Period and Cancellation of USSD and Verification Fees ’ , was jointly signed by the Executive Vice -Chairman , Nigerian Communications Commission , Umar Danbatta; and Director – General , National Identity Management Commission , Aliyu Aziz .

It read , “ The National Task Force on National Identification Number and SIM Registration met today , 21 st December , 2020 .

“ The meeting was chaired by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy , Isa Ali Pantami with major stakeholders in the sector including Chairman – NCC, EVC – NCC, DG- NITDA, DG- NIMC , ECTS /ECSM – NCC , Chairman ALTON , CEOs of MTN , Airtel , Ntel, Glo , Smile, and 9 Moble in attendance .

“ Based on the endorsement of the Federal Government of Nigeria , the following resolutions were made :

“ Three (3 ) weeks extension for subscribers with NIN from 30 th December , 2020 to 19 th January , 2021 ; and

“ Six (6 ) weeks extension for subscribers without NIN from 30 th December , 2020 to 9 th February , 2021 . ”

The statement further stated , “ NIMC has provided strategies to enable citizens attend the registration in full compliance with Covid – 19 protocols – particularly the use of facemasks which remains mandatory and maintenance of social distancing . ”