Danbatta confirms 180m telephone lines now linked with NIN

06 Oct Danbatta confirms 180m telephone lines now linked with NIN

Nigerian Communications Commission EVC Umar Danbatta says over 180 million telephone lines are now linked with the National Identity Numbers (NIN).

He disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday during the public hearing and inquiry on the proposed draft regulations on telephone subscriber registration, SIM replacement and spectrum allocation, 2021.

According to him, the figure followed the capturing of over 60 million Nigerians by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in the National Identity Numbers (NIN) database.

“The NIN-SIM linkages so far are 180 million subscribers. When you look at the number of SIMs tied to a NIN, you have about 3-4, which translates to 180 million subscribers whose SIMs are linked to their NIN,” he said.

He added that the telecommunications industry had bounced back with broadband penetration peaking at 41 percent while active telephone subscribers have increased by over one million.

In July, the federal government extended the NIN-SIM integration exercise to October 31.