MTN has said it is exponentially increasing capacity to provide National Identity Number enrolment services across its customer interaction touch points pan-Nigeria, rural locations inclusive.

The telco in a statement issued on Thursday said it had deployed an onsite appointment booking system designed to limit indoor crowding, alongside standard COVID-19 safety protocols at its service centres, adding that it planned to launch an online version shortly.

The company said this was to further support the Federal Government and the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy’s efforts to drive the NIN registration.

According to MTN, a reliable and sustainable national identity management system would deliver multiple benefits to the telecoms industry and the country as a whole by aiding national economic planning and enhancing security, governance and service delivery at all levels.

MTN reiterated its commitment to roll out thousands of enrolment devices across all geo-political zones, noting that it had already commenced enrolment for NINs at a limited number of its service centres across Nigeria.

“We seek the continued patience and understanding of our esteemed customers and the public as we continue scaling up capacity,” said the Chief Customer Relations Officer for MTN Nigeria, Ugonwa Nwoye.

READ ALSO Cryptocurrency: CBN ban makes Nigeria unprepared for future, says Ezekwesili

He gave the assurance that the telco was working with the NIMC and Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to expand the number of enrolment centres, and ensure they provided an access point for as many Nigerians.

“This involves close collaboration between other Mobile Network Operators and NIMC to ensure certification and technical integration is seamless while offering maximum possible protection from COVID-19,” Nwoye added.

He said MTN was committed to collaborating with the government to ensure Nigerians had access to a location where they could enrol in the NIN system, while simultaneously registering their SIM cards, which he noted was critical to the expansion of the digital economy.