While the rest of the world is announcing measures to limit spread of COVID-19, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and its parent body, the Ministry of Communication, have launched one of the worst examples of COVID-19 super spreader activities. Brandishing threat to cut off subscribers from mobile phone subscriptions, the NCC has asked the more than 9 million mobile phone service subscribers whose SIM cards are not properly registered, to queue and enrol to obtain National Identity Numbers (NIN) and have these attached to their SIM card registration, if they are to continue to use their mobile phones. It gave a two-week ultimatum for this to happen, coinciding with the emergence of a new strain of more deadly and fast spreading COVID-19. Although the deadline for complying with the NCC directive was extended, reports from the field show pictures and evidence of multitudes scrambling, squeezing, pushing and desperate to obtain the inefficiently processed NIN at National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) centres across the country.
It is unclear why the NCC has pursued compulsory registration of NIN on SIM cards at this time of serious public health concern. This came at a time when citizens were still reeling from the effects of a challenging year and dealing with a resurgence of COVID-19 infections in the country. Several appeals have gone to the Commission to suspend this registration, including from the Minister of State for Health who expressed hope at a Television interview, that the NCC will pull back from the exercise. What is however puzzling to most Nigerians is the requirement that subscribers are expected to pay a charge of N20 to be able to check their NIN using their mobile phones. This charge raises concern among Nigerians that the main purpose for this NCC activity is financial. It is unclear who is benefitting from this financial arrangement.
Meanwhile the NIN enrolment process was temporarily suspended when staff of NIMC embarked on a two-day strike on Wednesday, January 6, citing undue exposure to COVID-19 owing to lack of adequate protective equipment, poor welfare package, among other issues. However, the strike action was soon suspended and the enrolment process promptly resumed on Monday, January 11.