Mobile network operators (MNO) have responded to the recent directives on SIM registration by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) by putting in place the processes and infrastructure necessary to enable them to incorporate existing National Identity Numbers (NINs) into the current SIM registration data and support subscriber enrolment into the National Identity Database.
A statement by the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) today, the mobile operators’ umbrella body, stated that the operators would work closely with the government to deliver on the task ahead of and are committed to making the process as seamless as possible for all our customers.
The Chairman of ALTON and the CEO’s of MNO members of ALTON are part of a Ministerial Task Force accountable for implementing the directives as they work together to find a sustainable solution to the national assignment.
The statement signed by ALTON chairman Gbenga Adebayo stated that all MNO’s have now received an enrolment and verification license from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) or via the NCC, legally enabling them to verify NIN’s provided by customers and to enroll citizens into the NIN database.
“All operators have established various systems to enable subscribers with existing NINs to add their NIN’s to their SIM registration profile. Options deployed for customer ease and convenience include USSD strings, apps, and other self-service online portals, walk-in stores, and customer care lines
“It is important to note that we do expect that when SIM registration details are verified against the NIN database, there are likely to be inconsistencies in some of the data captured, such as spelling, order or number of names captured
” Where such inconsistencies are found, the operators will notify subscribers and provide a quick and easy mechanism to update SIM registration data and ensure alignment.
“To facilitate the validation, verification and enrolment processes and having now been licensed by NIMC to provide those services, operators have commenced the process of backend integration with NIMC’s database and increasing the capacity of the respective databases thus enabling more rapid validation and verification.
“To provide operational steer representatives of NCC, NIMC, ALTON, and MNOs will also be meeting regularly to review progress, identify challenges, develop solutions and generally continue to enhance the process with a view to ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of our customers while making significant progress towards our collective objective.
“We are pleased to see the recently announced extension of the deadline for registration and reiterate our commitment to ensuring the maximum level of compliance possible within the set timeframe”, the statement jointly signed by publicity secretary Damian Udeh added.
