Federal government on Thursday announced April 19, 2021, for the resumption of issuing new SIM card, accompanied with a compulsory National Identification Number (NIN).

This was disclosed by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, in a statement signed by Femi Ademiluyi, a Technical aide to the Minister, Isa Pantami.

He affirmed the new SIM cards would be rolled out as long one follows the necessary procedure(s).

Recall, the issuance of SIM cards was suspended in December 2020.

Part of the statement reads: “Federal government approves the activation of New Sim registraton with mandatory NIN in line with the Revised National Digital Identity policy for SIM card registration.

“An earlier policy was approved on the 4th of February 2020, while the revised policy was developed in early March 2021. The final ammendment to the revised policy based on the directives of Mr President to make the use of NIN mandatory for all SIM registration were completed yesterday, 14th April, 2021.

“The implementation of the policy will commence Monday, 19th April, 2021. The issuance of New SIMs and other suspended activities will resume on the same date as long as verification and the guidelines are fully adhered to.

“The Minister has also instructed Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC),  and National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to ensure that the provisions of the policy are strictly followed by all operators and subscribers.”

However, the Minster commended Nigerians’ patience and compliance with the Federal Government’s directive on the NIN-SIM registration exercise.

Ijeoma Njoku reporting, Obinwannem News