(Ecofin Agency) - The Nigerian Communications Commission has introduced new guidelines on the identification of telecom subscribers. Subscribers must now provide a valid National Identification Number (NIN) to update their SIM card identification. They have until December 30, 2020, to do so. After this deadline, unidentified SIM cards and those whose identification has not been updated will be blocked.

The new directives on subscriber identification were given on Monday, December 14, by the telecom regulator, at the end of the emergency meeting organized by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami (pictured), with the CEOs of telecom companies, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

According to the official, the new roadmap reflects the need to consolidate the achievements of the SIM card identification audit conducted last year, and to improve the performance and health of the national telecommunications sector.