The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has approved the development and release of an improved National Identity Number (NIN) slip and a Mobile App.
This move is seen as part of the Federal Government’s policy to improve the process of obtaining NIN and linking it to SIMs, which was sent to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for implementation.
READ: FG orders removal of N20 NIN retrieval charge across all networks
This disclosure was made by the Technical Assistant (Information Technology) to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Femi Adeluyi, in a press statement on Thursday.
According to him, as part of efforts aimed at supporting the Federal Government’s policy of linking subscribers’ NINs to their SIMs, the N20 and N40 fees for NIN verification by individuals and Mobile Network Operators, respectively, were also waived.
READ: How to retrieve your National Identification Number – NIMC
The statement from the ministry partly reads, “The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, FNCS, FBCS, FIIM, has approved the development and release of an improved National Identity Number (NIN) slip and a Mobile App. This is part of the Federal Government’s policy to improve the process of obtaining NIN and linking it to SIM, which was sent to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for implementation.”
READ: Don’t process drivers’ licenses without NIN from Monday, FG orders FRSC
“The highly anticipated Web Service (MWS) Application, called the NIMC Mobile App, and the improved National Identification Number (NIN) Slip are now available for public use. The App 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. The development of the App and other tools to support the National Identity Number (NIN) process align with the National Digital Economy Policy for a Digital Nigeria.”
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“The App offers a built-in harmonization process that allows for its use across other government services including the NCC, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Federal Road Safety Commission and National Health Insurance Scheme, to mention a few.’’
On the other hand, the statement says that the new improved NIN slip is a pocket friendly and an easy to verify version of the NIN. It also states that it can be accessed through a self-service portal, where people who already have been issued the NIN, can log in, download a PDF of the document in colour (if preferred), print and laminate as desired. The current NIN Slip will remain valid and will be gradually phased-out.
READ: Buhari approves transfer of NIMC to Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy
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What you should know
It can be recalled that the Federal Government had directed telecommunication operators to block all SIM cards that were not registered with NIN within 2 weeks of the announcement.
Following a lot of public outcry against the short time frame given for the implementation of the policy, the Federal Government extended the deadline by 6 weeks.
READ: NIMC releases guidelines for mandatory national identification number
PRESS STATEMENT
IMPROVED NIN SLIP AND MOBILE APP LAUNCHED
The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, @DrIsaPantami, FNCS, FBCS, FIIM, has approved the development and release of an improved National Identity Number (NIN) slip and a Mobile App. pic.twitter.com/gynPMO8bG8
— Fed. Min. of Comms, Innovation & Digital Economy (@FMCIDENigeria) December 31, 2020
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