There are no unregistered SIMs in Nigeria – Communications Minister
By Na’ankwat Dariem, Abuja
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami,has stated that there are currently no improperly registered Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards on the mobile networks been used in Nigeria after the deactivation in September 2019
This is sequel to the resolution on the floor of the Nigerian Senate following the consideration of a motion on the spate of growing insecurity in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by the Minister’s Technical Assistant Information Technology Dr. Femi Adeluyi on Tuesday said Dr Pantami awaits the official lauded the law makers for their concern and support towards improving national security.
According to the statement “The Honourable Minister has supported security agencies in their statutory duty of protecting lives and property and this is why his first action after his appointment was to issue a directive that no improperly registered subscriber identification module (SIM) be allowed to remain on our networks”
“Based on the report submitted by the regulator (Nigerian Communications Commission) on the 26th of September 2019, there is currently no improperly registered SIM on our networks. In the event of evidence to the contrary, the Honourable Minister will sanction any individual or institution found wanting”
Further, Dr Pantami wrote to all security agencies on the 14th of October 2019 asking them to collaborate with the Ministry by contacting them whenever a crime has been aided and abetted through the use of telecommunication devices adding that “no request by security agencies for assistance in the identification of owners of SIMs used for crime has gone untreated”.
The Minister also submitted a detailed memorandum to the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Nigerian Security Challenges on the 12th of February 2020. It contained details on policies developed by the Ministry to enhance security.
In a similar vein, the Minister has directed the NCC to ensure that they put modalities in place to tie the National Identify Number (NIN) to SIMs, as well as see to it that no unregistered SIMs are sold. He has also directed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to significantly scale up the number of monthly NIN registrations.
Dr Pantami also recently presented a Draft National Policy on Digital Identity for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) which took place on the 11th of November, 2020. The memo was approved and will support in the provision of Digital IDs for Nigerians, thus assisting in the implementation of the Policy to tie NINs to SIMs.
The Minister however assured the Lawmakers and Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is committed to using technology to support the growth of our economy and the security of our nation. “To this end, we look forward to collaborating with the Senate and security agencies in this regard,” he said.
Nnenna.O
