FG Grants Verification And Enrolment License for NIN To Airtel |The Source

By Uche Mbah

Telecom giant, Airtel Nigeria, has been granted a license to enroll Nigerians into the National Identification Number project, thus becoming the first Telecom Company to be granted such license.

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, had recently thrown the country into an uproar when it insisted on two weeks grace period for  Nigerians that have not obtained the NIN to obtain it or have their phone lines barred. Telecom firms were threatened with the withdrawal of licenses if they refuse to comply within two weeks.

Nigerians argued that two weeks is too short a time frame, considering that it has been chaotic and difficult for Nigerians  making spirited efforts to register for the NIN.

But in his certified Facebook page, Emeka Oparah, Vice President, Corporate Communications and CSR of Airtel, posted a Press release from the telecom giant indicating that Airtel has been favored to register NIN.

“The approval was contained in a notice issued, Wednesday by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC)”, the release said.

“With this approval, Nigerians can now complete their NIN registration process at any accredited Airtel outlet nationwide.

“Commenting on this development, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, commended the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Pantami, for expanding the registration footprints and for taking definitive steps to smoothen the NIN process as well as ease the burden on Nigerians.

‘Airtel is always seeking opportunities to cooperate and partner with the Nigerian government on initiatives that will make life easier and better for Nigerians. As a law-abiding and responsible corporate citizen, we are always ready to go the extra mile for our esteemed stakeholders and that is why we are pleased to partner with the Federal Government and NIMC on citizens’ registration exercise,’ he said.

“Customers who do not have NIN can fulfill this requirement at any certified NIMC Enrolment center while Airtel subscribers who already have NINs will be offered options to send their NINs to Airtel via USSD or SMS or through the Airtel Self Care App or Website to update their SIM registration details.

“Foreign nationals are required to present their international passports only to register a new SIM when the restriction on registration of new sims is lifted. “