The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy has annouced the approval of SIM Replacement Policy for subscribers whose SIMs have been lost, stolen, misplaced or damaged.

The replacement policy is subjected to the following conditions:

i) That the subscriber present a NIN;

ii) That an effective verification of the NIN is carried out by NIMC; and

iii) That the relevant Guidelines and Regulations of NCC concerning SIM Replacement are fully adhered to.

According to a statement jointly signed by NCC Director of Public Affairs,Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde and Mr. Kayode Adegoke,Head, Corporate Communication NIMC,the policy was part of the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce the burden on subscribers and simplify the exercise.

It also aimed at enabling telecommunications service users who needed to replace their damaged, stolen or misplaced SIMs to re-establish access to telecom services.

The Federal Government drive to ensure all Subscriber registrations are linked with National Identification Numbers (NINs) is moving forward as all stakeholders in the industry are currently working together to ensure the SIM-NIN integration process is carried out as seamlessly as possible.

The Government further expressed appreciation to Nigerians for the understanding and commitment demonstrated towards ensuring the overall success of the exercise.

On its part ,the Ministerial Task Force led by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy has also set up a Technical Committee made up of representatives of:

1. Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC);

2. National Identity Management Commission (NIMC);

3). The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON); and

4). Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).

The Technical Committee is charged with the operationalization of the process to ensure an expedited linkage of all SIM Registration Records with NIN.