BY BANYO TEMITAYO
THE Federal Government has said that the National Identification Number is mandatory for diplomats who will reside in Nigeria for a continuous period of two years or more.
This means that foreign diplomats whose NINs are not linked to their SIMs in Nigeria would also have their telephone lines blocked at the expiration of the deadline given to telecommunications operators or at a different date as deemed fit by the authority.
In line with the latest directive, made known by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, on Sunday, a NIN enrolment centre has been established for the diplomats at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The centre would be managed by the Communications Ministry through the National Identity Management Commission, the Minister said.
According to a statement signed by Technical Assistant to the minister, Femi Adeluyi, the centre is being set up, based on a request by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama.
The statement said, “The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has approved the setting up of a National Identity Number (NIN) enrolment centre at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
”The desk will be set up by Tuesday, 19th of January, 2021.
“This enrolment centre will provide support for members of the Diplomatic Corps and will be managed by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, through the National Identity Management Commission.
”The centre is being set up based on the request of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, in order to simplify the process for diplomats.”
The minister added, “The National Identity Number is mandatory for diplomats who will reside in Nigeria for a continuous period of two years or more.
”It is also mandatory for all other lawful residents in the country as stated in Section 16 of the National Identity Management Commission Act 2007.”
According to him, the Law has made it mandatory for Nigerians and legal residents to obtain a NIN since 2007.
“However, compliance has been low, until recently,” he noted.
