The Federal Government of Nigeria issued a public directive that all SIM network be linked with the users’ National Identification Number (NIN) or risk getting blocked. The NIN is a one-to-one unique number assigned to each Nigerian citizen for easy identification, bank registration and among other purposes.
This exercise is aimed at combating the high rates of insecurity in the country. And as of which the Federal Government had declared with effect immediate, After postponing the deadline 9 times, according Nairametrics, the Federal Government, on Monday, April 4, 2022, directed all the operating telecoms in Nigeria to begin blocking all SIMs that are yet to be linked to their NINs.
If you’re yet to link your SIM with your NIN, or have a blocked SIM due to this, follow the steps below to remedy that.
How to link your SIM with NIN to unblock your line:
Step 1: Retrieve your NIN
To link your National Identification Number (NIN) to your sim, you need to know what your NIN is. If you do not know your NIN, you can retrieve it by visiting any NIMC office near you. Or you can retrieve it by yourself on your phone by dialling *346#.
Step 2: Link your NIN to your SIM
If you have your NIN, you can link it to your mobile number(s) in either of 2 ways— using the assigned USSD code of your mobile network or the NIMC Mobile ID App.
How to link your NIN to your mobile numbers using the NIMC Mobile ID App.
To link your NIN to your mobile number using the NIMC mobile app, you need to first download it. Enter your NIN and log in. Then follow these steps:
- Tap on the “My Devices” button on the bottom right part of your dashboard on the app.
- Tap on “Add Mobile Number” and input the mobile phone number you wish to link.
- Input the OTP sent to that mobile phone number.
You can link up to seven (7) mobile phone numbers.
If you are using a feature phone, you can link your number to your NIN using the USSD code of your network.
How to link your NIN to your mobile numbers using USSD code.
You are to use the USSD codes for respective network providers are as follows:
- For Airtel, dial *121*1#
- For MTN, dial *785#
- For 9Mobile, dial *200*8#
- For Glo, SMS “UPDATENIN YourNIN FirstName LastName” to 109. For example, “UPDATENIN 12345678910 Mohammadu Buhari”
If your SIM card is blocked from making or receiving calls despite linking your NIN, visit the service centre of your network provider to make a complaint
