New guidelines for the enrollment of the National Identity Number (NIN) has been released. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) disclosed this in a statement signed by the commission’s spokesperson, Kayode Adegoke. The new guidelines adopts measures to curtail the spread of the virus, whilst ensuring the commission’s services to Nigerians are not persistently interrupted. The statement reads in part:
“Mindful of the second wave of the COVID-19 which continues to severely affect public health and cause unprecedented disruptions, the Commission wishes to announce that it has adopted a couple of measures to contain the spread of the virus whilst ensuring its services to Nigerians are not entirely interrupted.
“Effective December 30, 2020, attending to applicants would be based on Booking System. For Bookings, applicants are to visit any of the NIMC Offices closest to them during stipulated business hours (9 am – 1 pm). Although the policy has been in place since 4th February 2020 applicants are now crowding all the centers.
“Personal Information would be collected for the sole purpose of scheduling an enrolment appointment. Please do not include any personal information other than what is required by the booking register.
“Once admitted into the office, a Number-Issuing queue management system will be in place to ensure orderliness and strict adherence to Covid-19 Protocols.”
“As a responsible Commission we fully understand that safety comes first, as such, only individuals with facemask would be allowed entrance into our premises.”
Although the FG has extended the synchronisation of SIM Cards with NIN till next year, applicants are now gathering in in large numbers at all the centers with fears that this can plunge the nation deeper into the second wave of COVID 19 crisis.
Nelson Okoh