Pantami Directs NCC To Cancel N20 NIN Retrieval Charge Across Networks
TECH DIGEST – The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to remove the N20 USSD fee imposed on subscribers for NIN retrieval requests.
Recall that the Federal Government on Tuesday, ordered Telecommunication network operators to require all their subscribers to provide valid National Identification Number (NIN) to update Subscriber Identification Modules (SIM) registration records for security purposes.
However, subscribers are required by telcos to pay N20 for the retrieval of their NIN when they dial a code: *346#.
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Now, Dr. Pantami wants an end to that, particularly during the period of the SIM-NIN integration.
The Minister’s directive which takes immediate effect, is an intervention aimed at making the process easier and affordable, a statement by the Spokesperson to the Minister, Uwa Suleiman (Mrs) suggests.
“In a letter conveying the implementation of the directive, the Executive Vice Chairman NCC and the Director General of NIMC, informed Dr Pantami that the relevant authorities had met with, and negotiated a waiver with the Mobile Network Operators in that regard.
“By this waiver, all Nigerians, subscribers and applicants can access the service using the *346# code for their NIN retrieval at no charge for the duration of the NIN/SIM Card integration exercise.
“The Honourable Minister appreciates the efforts of all stakeholders and encourages them to continue to sacrifice more for national interest”, Uwa said.
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