FG has invalidated SIM integration using BVN generated NIN, as it insists that applicants must visit NIMC offices for complete registration.
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has said that applicants must complete their National Identification Number (NIN) registration even if their Bank Verification Number (BVN) has generated NIN.
This is as NIMC pointed out that NIN generated by the BVN can only be used after it has been updated at the NIMC enrollment centre.
This disclosure was made by NIMC in a statement through a tweet post on its official Twitter handle on Tuesday, January 12, 2021.
NIMC in a statement said,
“You must complete your NIN registration even if your BVN has generated a NIN. If your NIN was generated due to the BVN record harmonization with the National Identity Database, you will not have access to the NIMC Mobile App and your NIN-SIM integration will be invalid.”
You MUST complete your NIN registration even if your BVN has generated a NIN.@DrIsaPantami @aliyuaziz
@FMoCDENigeria@nimc_ng@NgComCommission @NITDANigeria@Galaxybackbone@ConsumersNCC @NIPOSTNG @UwaSuleiman pic.twitter.com/2qefXknPkY— NIMC (@nimc_ng) January 12, 2021
NIMC in its statement insists that all affected applicants must visit any of the NIMC enrolment centres to update their biometrics and validate their NIN.
Recall that the commission had earlier said NIN generated by the BVN can be used to link SIM cards after biometrics capturing has been updated at the NIMC enrollment centre.
What This Means
This means that every applicant for National Identification Number must visit an NIMC office for his or her biometrics/data capture, with the provision of every relevant personal information, even if they generate their NIN from any other sources including BVN.
What You Should Know
The Federal Government had announced the approval of the development and release of an improved National Identity Number slip and a Mobile App as part of its policy to improve the process of obtaining NIN and linking it to SIMs.
Newsonspot.com.ng had reported that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had asked all telcos to disconnect the SIM cards of persons who have not integrated their NIN with their phone lines by the end of January.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, had said an application is available to help Nigerians link their NIN with up to seven phone numbers.
The NIMC Mobile App and the improved NIN slip provides a secure channel for all Nigerians and legal residents to easily verify and authenticate their identities on the go using smartphones. It also enables them to link the NIN to their phone numbers.
Nigerians to adopt caution while downloading the mobile application for linking NIN with SIM cards as fraudulent applications are now available on the internet.
