KPMG Comments On Mandatory NIN For Expatriates Resident In Nigeria

KPMG comments on the  National Identification Numbers mandatory instruction to expatriates in Nigeria
OpenLife Nigeria reports that following recent statement signed by the Head, Corporate Communications of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), announcing the extension of the deadline of the National Identity Number (NIN) -SIM integration by a period of 3 weeks from 30 December 2020 to 19 January 2021 for subscribers with NIN; and 6 weeks from 30 December 2020 to 19 February 2021 for subscribers without NIN,Klynveld, Peat, Marwick and Goerdeler,
KPMG, an international organization that started operations in Nigeria in 1978 has offered some comments.
The world’s leading providers of Audit, Tax and Advisory services, in the comment signed by Wole Obayomi and made available to OpenLife Nigeria reads:
“The NIN-SIM integration exercise is expected to assist the Government’s efforts in fighting the insecurity challenges facing the country. Therefore, the extension of the NIN enrollment deadline by the NIMC is a welcome development. This will enable expatriates who will be returning to the country from the holidays to complete the process and avoid disconnection of their mobile numbers. However, with the rising cases of COVID-19 infections in Nigeria, the NIMC should consider deploying an online registration platform as an alternative to physical visits to its offices for the enrollment exercise. Meanwhile, it is hoped that the government will embark on a more comprehensive data integration exercise to consolidate the personal data of Nigerian citizens and residents currently held by its different agencies in a central database.”
For clarity, the Commission had explained, in its statement which generated KPMG comments, that “The extension was necessary to give the NIMC adequate time to complete the registration of outstanding persons.”