Linkage of Sim, NIN to be completed in two months – FG
The Federal Government says it would conclude the registration and linkage of Sim cards and the National Identification Number in two months.
A sim is a smart card inside a mobile phone, carrying an identification number unique to the owner. It stores person details of the owner.
However, there have been efforts by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to ensure mobile users are registered to curb security issues.
According to Taofeek Yenkini of Cooperate Planning and Strategy, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), when completed would help tackle myriads of security challenges facing the country.
The official made this disclosure during an interactive session at a stakeholders’ engagement programme, organised in collaboration with Gombe State Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation.
The engagement with the theme; Creating opportunities, breaking boundaries: towards digitisation and entreprenurial evolution, had participants with Information and Communications Technology background across Ministries Departments and Agencies in the state.
According to Yenkini, “Once the Federal Ministry of communications concludes the linkage of Sim cards and the NIN in two months. It will tackle the growing threat of insecurity, using digital and communications technology.”
He added that the organisation, through Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy would compel telecommunications companies to conclude the registration of over a hundred million of its subscribers to complete the SIM/NIN linkage.
On his part, Director General of NITDA Kashifu Abdullahi said the engagement was organised to articulate policies from stakeholders.
Abdullahi, who was represented virtually by Usman Abdullahi, noted that alot of gains were to be derived when more persons had digital access.
Abdullahi said,” This is an attempt to decentralise, and with the intent of articulating its policies and programmes to the stakeholders from across the country for which they derive values.”
Commenting on the efforts of NITDA towards achieving its aspiration, Abdullahi said it was possible.
“However, there is always the need to re-strategise in the face of new challenges and opportunities that the Digital Economy ecosystem provides.
“Therefore, the NITDA Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP), 2021-2024, has been conceived to provide direction for the organisation and a sound platform for mitigating the foreseen and unforeseen threats to the Digital Economy ecosystem.
“In keeping with our value of innovativeness, we have constantly rethought our ideas, systems, and processes, and have been wary of providing old answers to new problems,” Abdullahi said.