FG orders cancellation of N20 NIN retrieval charge

The federal government (FG) has ordered the cancellation of N20 fee for retrieval of national identity number (NIN) on mobile networks.

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) had said that Nigerians subscribed to MTN, Airtel, 9mobile and Glo networks could retrieve their NIN on their phone by dialing *346#.

The N20 fee has generated criticism from Nigerians due to the poor economic condition of the country.

Isa Ali Pantami, the minister of communications and digital economy, on Friday gave the directive which takes effect immediately.

A statement by Uwa Suleiman, his spokesperson, said Umar Danbatta, executive vice chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and Aliyu Aziz, director-general of NIMC, had met with relevant stakeholders and negotiated a waiver with mobile network operators.

“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 statement read. 

Pantami commended the efforts of stakeholders in promoting national interest.

The NCC had asked telecommunications companies to block SIM cards not registered with NIN by December 30.

The government had also licensed 173 centres and 30 state government institution to conduct enrolment of all persons including legal residents into the National Identity Database (NIDB).