Some Nigerians on Wednesday expressed divergent views on the extension of the National Identification Number (NIN) link and the Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) by the federal government.
Subscribers and providers reacted in separate interviews with the Nigerian News Agency (NAN) in Lagos.
NAN reports that April 6 was supposed to be the deadline for Nigerians to link their NINs to their SIM cards, but the exercise was again extended by one month until May 6.
Thomas Adegoke, a freelancer, expressed his enthusiasm for the extension, saying that it had been difficult to register due to the crowds at the registration centers.
Adegoke said it was his wish to obtain the NIN because in addition to linking it to his SIM, it could be used for other forms of identification.
“The extension is a blessing for those of us who are not yet registered and linked our SIMS.”
Ms. Vivian Ilechukwu, another respondent, said the extension was appreciated because it would allow her to enroll her child in the NIN to be eligible for the Joint Enrollment and Admissions Board (JAMB) exam.
Ilechukwu said that efforts have been made to get the boy to register, but due to school activities it has been difficult, but with the extension it would be possible.
A SIM salesperson, Miss Blessing Okon, expressed disappointment that the extension was stopping the source of her livelihood because nothing would be done except registration was done.
Okon said that since the exercise began, business had slowed and people were eager to start again after registration.
However, he advised people to take advantage of the extension to sign up and let the business start to flourish.
He also called for more registration centers to be opened so that more people can register in the shortest time possible.
The Federal Government’s measure for citizens to secure the NIN and link them to their SIM cards was first announced in December 2020.
A two-week period was prescribed for the exercise, but after it became clear that the time window was insufficient, the government nevertheless extended it to February and then April 6 (NAN).
