President Bola Tinubu has established an inter-ministerial committee to investigate allegations that telecom providers linked National Identification Numbers (NINs) to subscribers’ SIM cards without their consent.
Sources at the Presidency revealed that Tinubu gave the directive during Tuesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja.
The committee includes key officials such as:
– National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu
– Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo
– Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu
– Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani
– Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda
The President directed the committee to examine the issue and provide accurate data to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to facilitate its work.
Reports indicate that some telecom providers linked subscribers’ NINs to unfamiliar SIM records or attached multiple numbers to a single NIN without proper authorization. Consumer advocacy groups and affected individuals have raised concerns over privacy violations and potential security risks, calling for a thorough investigation.
The House of Representatives has also launched an inquiry into the matter following a motion sponsored by Rep. Patrick Umoh and Prof. Julius Ihonvbere. Lawmakers expressed concern over the dangers of unauthorized NIN-SIM linkages, including identity theft, financial fraud, and wrongful implication in crimes.
The House tasked its Committees on Communications and Interior with investigating the issue and reporting back in four weeks. Additionally, it urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to take immediate action against telecom providers found to be in violation of data protection laws.
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