News
NIN-SIM linkage: NATCOMS pleads for 2-week extension
The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has appealed to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for extension of the NIN-SIM Linkage deadline from Sept. 14 to Sept. 30.
The National President, NATCOMS, Mr Deolu Ogunbanjo, said in an interview with the Newsmen, yesterday, that it desired an extension due to the challenges of the National Identity Management Commission’s (NIMC) portal.
The Tide source reports that the NCC had set a deadline of Sept. 14, 2024, for all mobile users to link their SIMs to their National Identification Number (NIN).
The NCC emphasised the importance of the NIN-SIM linkage for improving digital security and reducing fraud and cybercrime.
Ogunbanjo said it needed the two-week extension for the NIMC to increase the capacity of its portal, adding that telecoms operators at the customer centres usually struggled to upload on the NIMC portal.
He said that difficulty to upload on the NIMC portal had frustrated the process and caused delay.
“As I visited the customer centres of Airtel and MTN, I witnessed firsthand the struggles they faced in uploading data to NIMC portal.
“The congestion was palpable, and the slow pace of uploads was frustrating.
“It was clear that the NIMC portal lacked the capacity to handle the surge in uploads, causing undue stress for telecom operators and their subscribers.
“I am appealing to the NCC to grant an extension of the deadline to Sept. 30, to allow more time for NIMC to expand its portal capacity.
Ogunbanjo said that this would alleviate the current difficulties, and ensure a smoother experience for all stakeholders.
In a The Tide source check at some customer centres, a food vendor, Mrs Zainab Olajide, said that though the process of linking and unbarring her SIM was seamless, the operators of the centre, however, demanded for N1,000 before attending to her.
Olajide said that failure to pay the money meant that the customer would not be attended to, adding that the agents at the centre took advantage of the situation due to the crowd.
She said that though she got to the centre at 10 a.m., her number was 282, pleading that an extension of the deadline would enable more people get back online.
Also, a Consultant, Mr Clement Umeadi, also decried the extortion that took place at his customer centre at Alagbado.
Umeadi said that the most annoying for him was paying N2000 to unblock his two barred lines.
He stressed that the NIN-SIM linkage should be a continuous process with no set deadline, saying that such deadlines encouraged unwholesome practices.
Also, at a customer centre in Opebi, an Accountant, Josh Manuel, said the registration process was seamless, adding that despite the crowd, there was orderliness and effective management.
He said that the agents were professional in handling the process and no money was demanded.
“I was forced to appreciate the staff I met, especially, the security for their professionalism in handling the crowd,’’ he said.
A staff of the customer centre, who preferred to remain anonymous, said that the turnover of subscribers to adhere to the deadline was impressive.
She said that, prior to the present extension, subscribers were in the habit of rushing at the last minute, but that was not the case at the centre.
A Teacher, Mrs Olushola Oke, lamented the slow pace of uploads at a customer centre in Ogba.
Oke said that the crowd at the centre was as a result of the slow pace of work, which was frustrating.
According to her, it was after her third early morning visit to the centre that her line was unbarred.
She, however, called for an extension of the exercise to enable more people have their lines unbarred, especially those who had faced the similar experience of slow pace of work.
An agent at the customer centre, Ogba, Mr Quadri Adegoke, told The Tide source that verification on the National Identity Management Commission’s (NIMC) was not encouraging.
Adegoke said it had slowed the pace of work and made the whole process frustrating.
He said that it was hard to determine whether the slow uploads was as a result of the ongoing construction work in the area that might have tampered with the network or the traffic on NIMC’s website.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.