Millions of MTN, Airtel, other lines to be barred as subscribers faces network glitch

• Subscribers have been frustrated by the challenges they encounter when submitting their information to the NIN
• This is in anticipation of the September 15 deadline for the NIN to be linked to cards bearing the Subscriber Identity Module
• Subscribers urged the NCC and NIMC to work together to improve the portal’s capacity, reduce congestion at telecom centres

Legit.ng journalist Zainab Iwayemi has over 3-year-experience covering the Economy, Technology, and Capital Market.

Subscribers have expressed frustration over the difficulties they face uploading their details on the National Identity Management Commission portal as the September 15 deadline for linking National Identification Number to Subscriber Identification Module cards approaches.

According to subscribers, the current portal issues make it impossible to effectively finish the NIN-SIM linkage in time for the deadline. Photo Credit: Fizkes
Source: UGC

The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers President, Adeolu Ogungbanjo, called the situation "terrible" after visiting some telecom centres, including MTN and Airtel.

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!

“We urge the NCC and NIMC to work together to improve the portal’s capacity, reduce congestion at telecom centres, and provide adequate support staff to ensure a seamless process,” he told The PUNCH on Wednesday.

He emphasized that the present portal problems prevent the NIN-SIM linkage from being successfully completed before the deadline.

He added that if they are not resolved immediately, subscribers would not be able to fulfil the deadline.

According to Ogungbanjo, the NIMC website becomes congested when numerous users try to use it at once; it only runs smoothly when fewer users are logged in.

“When you go to the NIMC office in Alausa, Lagos, you will experience the same congestion. It takes too much time and it’s only seamless when not many people are trying to access the website. I think the congestion happens because too many people wait until the last minute to try and access the website,” he explained.

The NATCOMS President urged NIMC to address the website’s capacity issues to ensure a smooth NIN-SIM linkage process for all Nigerians, preventing further frustrations as the deadline looms.

Kayode Adegoke, the Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, explained the organization's role in the ongoing NIN-SIM linkage process.

He emphasized that the commission's centers were open and fully functional, with adequate capacity to enroll and issue NINs to citizens.

How to check if your NIN is linked

Legit.ng reported that after repeated extensions of deadlines, the federal government on Monday, April 4, ordered telcos to block lines yet to be linked with NIN from making calls.

Over 70 million subscribers have been affected by the development. Many of them are now linking their SIM to their NIN in order to regain access to making phone calls.

However, there are some subscribers who are not sure whether or not their SIMs have been linked with their NIN, though they still have access to making calls.

Source: Legit.ng