Sun Sep 15 09:52:34 UTC 2024: ## NIN-SIM Linkage Deadline Extended to September 30th Amidst Portal Challenges and Extortion Concerns
The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to extend the NIN-SIM Linkage deadline from September 14th to September 30th. The request stems from ongoing challenges with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) portal, leading to delays and frustrations for subscribers.
NATCOMS President, Mr. Deolu Ogunbanjo, highlighted the heavy congestion and slow upload speeds on the NIMC portal, making it difficult for telecom operators to process subscriber data. He also observed firsthand the struggles faced by Airtel and MTN customer service centers in uploading information.
While some subscribers like Josh Manuel reported smooth and efficient registration processes, others like Mrs. Zainab Olajide and Mr. Clement Umeadi experienced extortion at customer service centers. Agents demanded payments to unblock SIM cards, taking advantage of the heavy influx of subscribers seeking to meet the deadline.
Teachers and other subscribers like Mrs. Olushola Oke echoed similar complaints about the slow pace of uploads and delays in unblocking SIM cards, attributing the issues to both the NIMC portal’s limitations and network disruptions.
Despite the challenges, some customer service centers reported an increase in subscriber compliance, observing that people were no longer rushing to meet the deadline at the last minute.
The NCC, which previously emphasized the importance of NIN-SIM linkage for improved digital security and reduced fraud, is yet to respond to NATCOMS’ appeal for an extension.
The extension would provide more time for NIMC to enhance its portal capacity, enabling a smoother registration process for subscribers. This extension also aims to address the reported issues of extortion at customer service centers and ensure a more equitable and less stressful experience for all stakeholders.
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