Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “instruct the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr Isa Pantami, and Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, (NIMC) Mr Aliyu Abubakar to stop the push for registration of Nigerians for National Identity Number (NIN), and withdraw the threat to block SIM cards, as the data being sought already exist in several platforms, including the Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), driver’s license, international passport, and voters’ card.”

The organization also urged him “to instruct Mr Pantami and Mr Abubakar to take concrete measures to promptly ensure that the NIMC is able to faithfully and effectively discharge its statutory functions to harmonize and integrate existing identification databases in government agencies into the National Identity Database, and to use the information to update SIM card registration.”

The Federal Government had threatened that SIM cards not linked to NIN by 30 December, 2020 would be blocked, and that telecom service providers that failed to block phone numbers without NIN would have their operating licences withdrawn.

But SERAP in a letter dated 19 December, 2020 and signed by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare said: “No government has the right to strip its own people of their basic rights under the guise of registration for national identity number. If the authorities continue down this path, the threats to citizens’ rights such as the rights to freedom of expression and access to information, will inevitably increase, and the NIMC will remain a paper tiger.”

SERAP said: “Instead of forcing Nigerians to register, threatening telecom service providers with sanctions, and exposing Nigerians to the risks of COVID-19, your government ought to make sure that the NIMC discharges its statutory functions to harmonize and integrate existing identification databases in government agencies, and make use of the information collected.”

According to SERAP: “The request for Nigerians to register for NIN is burdensome, unjustified and unnecessary. It would end up serving no other purpose than to threaten and violate the rights of Nigerians, and create a ‘chilling effect’ on citizens’ ability to participate in the fight against corruption in the country, and thereby seriously undermining the government’s oft-repeated commitment to transparency and accountability.”

The letter, read in part: “There is neither a pressing legal or practical need for this registration, which threatens Nigerians’ human rights, especially at a time your government is warning Nigerians about the second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.”

“Blocking Nigerians from using their SIM cards would amount to a blatant violation of their rights to freedom of expression and access to information, and have a ‘chilling effect’ on the enjoyment of other human rights.”

“We would be grateful if your government would indicate the measures being taken to stop the unnecessary registration of NIN, withdraw the threat to block SIM cards, and take concrete measures to promptly ensure that the NIMC is able to faithfully discharge its statutory functions to harmonize and integrate existing identification databases in government agencies into the National Identity Database, within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.”

“If we have not heard from you by then as to the steps being taken in this direction, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to implement these recommendations in the interest of millions of Nigerians.”

“One of the stated purposes of NIMC as elaborated in section 5 [a] of the NIMC Act is to harmonise and integrate existing identification databases in government agencies into a national identity database. If the NIMC cannot perform this important statutory duty, then it has failed to achieve an obvious part of its legislative purpose.”

“This push for registration will place a substantial burden on the exercise of human rights by Nigerians. It is also patently contrary to the objectives of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as contained in Section 1[g] of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, which is to protect the rights and interest of service providers and consumers within Nigeria.’”

“These rights presumably include the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, life and personal security. The enjoyment of these rights forms the basis for a free and democratic society. A democratic government based on the rule of law is one that is responsible to its citizenry and seeks to represent their interests.”

“The push for registration for NIN is a bad initiative, and cannot find support in existing laws, the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international human rights obligations.”

“SERAP notes that the information on individuals currently being sought by your government already exist in several platforms, including through multiple citizen’s collection data platforms such as the Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), international passport, driver’s license, SIM card registration and voters’ card.”

“This point is buttressed by Section 5 [h] of the NIMC Act 2007, which provides that: ‘the Commission shall establish and maintain secured communication links with any existing relevant identity related database or agency’”.

“The statutory duty to harmonize and integrate existing data for the purposes of NIN and SIM card registration should not be difficult to carry out, as the Nigeria Immigration Service, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) are already members of the Board of the NIMC by virtue of section 2[1][b] of the NIMC Act.”

“Our requests are brought in the public interest, and in keeping with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999, the country’s international human rights obligations including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Nigeria has ratified both human rights treaties.”

“According to our information, your government has issued a two-week ultimatum for the registration and linking of National Identity Number (NIN) to mobile numbers across the country.”

“The NCC has also reportedly directed telecom service providers to block phone numbers without NIN while Mr Abubakar has stated that there would be no extension for the announced deadline ending 30 December, 2020.”

“Your government has also reportedly threatened that, ‘After the deadline, all SIMs without NINs are to be blocked from the networks. Violations of this directive will be met by stiff sanctions, including the possibility of withdrawal of operating license.’”

The letter is copied to Mr Abubakar Malami SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Pantami, and Mr Abubakar.

http://serap-nigeria.org/2020/12/20/serap-asks-buhari-to-stop-nin-registration-withdraw-threat-to-block-sim-cards/

Honestly, this administration lack vision. I don't understand the cries about NIN and integrating phone numbers with it?

What's the importance of BVN?

What about those that has registered since forever and don't even have the number used to register anymore?

What about folks that are no more in the country?

What's the essence really?

Who advises that foolish impersonator?

Anything to maltreat, victimize and punish the citizens seems to be the mission of this failed government.

Misplaced priorities everywhere.

I heard NIMC staffs are extorting people big time

I also heard the essence of the registration was to stop extortion

NIMC is working indeed

The registration should be done online abeg

Ok

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It is not even possible 70 percent of Nigerians are not registered, and you give them a couple of weeks ultimatum during covid season..

Nawa

thank U SERAP.Hope d old man listen but I knw dat PATA-NLA Baztard won’t allow d old man gree

dimexy247:
Honestly, this administration lack vision. I don't understand the cries about NIN and integrating phone numbers with it?

What's the importance of BVN?

What about those that has registered since forever and don't even have the number used to register anymore?

What about folks that are no more in the country?

What's the essence really?

Who advises that foolish impersonator?

Anything to maltreat, victimize and punish the citizens seems to be the mission of this failed government.

Misplaced priorities everywhere.

Our mumu never do
We are always quick to tribalize & put religious sentiments on government policy.

One of the few organization that tells Buhari the truth at most times.

Buhari get ear problem joor.. him no go hear

These people are crazy jare

Somehow.
BVN and NIN is synchronized already.

Every body with his or her own wahala....


Everybody must be heard.........


Abeg.....who be this people?

What documents would be required for nin registration

Them nor well, make una never answered them, foolish set of mofo

Issokay

Thank you SERAP

this government is just too fool...

the most idiotic government in the history of mankind.

What is wrong. With SERAP


Kidnappers , Boko Haram don't have BVN , voters card or international passport


NIN cost nothing, within few minutes you are captured, 2 weeks you get your number from anywhere

Look we must have real time database of ourselves for security reasons, activism is not about killing all Goverment policy with complains

*Insecurity is everywhere and police claim they lack equipment, and have poor salary, Buhari and Federal Government suggested a New Police Act where 1% to 3% of our National earnings goes to Nigerian Police Force - Nigerian Governors rushed to block it at the court without offering solutions

*FG and Pantami stated that not everyone has a bank account , so not all have BVN and our BVN or Voters card is useless when it comes to fighting Boko Haram, Kidnapping, bandits ... He proposed we all register ourselves to Jonathan's National Identity Number, Something similar to Americas Social Security Number SSN, - SERAP are here again to stop this idea without creating alternative solution






.

Wahala plenty for this country

Too late? Where were you all when PMB became a dictator after “sacking”former NAAS leaders through election manipulation?

We need more info on NIN and it’s application and importance we can’t be replicating/generating no’s and tying them to this and that for no beneficial reason.

Doesn't make any sense to block simcards for such silly reason

The people who are happy to see the country unsafe are here again

Lawless country

Despite all the problems we're facing in this country it is only NIN this shit hole president is putting he's energy on.