President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, said  the linkage of Subscribers Identification Module (SIMs) to National Identification Numbers (NIN), would determine the success of the ongoing war against insecurity.

The President said this while speaking during the launch of the National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content in Nigerian Telecoms Sector and Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Cards registration at the State House in Abuja.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity , Femi Adesina, the President said proper identification of all Nigerians and legal residents in the country, ability to conveniently access a data base, will provide impetus for more effective planning and security oversight.

President Buhari urged  Nigerians to  participate in the ongoing synchronization of the NIN with SIM cards across the country, noting that it would provide a digital framework for improving security and strengthening  the economy.

“The NIN will cover one of the weaknesses in our security structure. We will be able to easily identify and know the personality of Nigerians. We will identify people easily, including the crooks,’’ he said.

He added that the launch of the Revised National Digital Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration was quite timely and will support efforts to enhance security and develop the economy.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Dr Isa  Patanmi noted that the NIN Registration had recorded a huge success with 54 million Nigerians already captured in the process, adding, “within six months over 12 million enrolled.’’

The minister mentioned it was now possible to have virtual ID cards that can be used in various transactions. He assured that the NIN and Sim card registration for Nigerians and legal residents will cover 99.9 per cent.