The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has ordered telecom service providers to immediately reactivate all lines recently disconnected due to NIN-SIM verification issues.
In a statement signed by Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, it was noted that many telecom subscribers were unable to access their phone lines over the weekend. This disruption was due to the failure of numerous consumers to verify their National Identification Numbers (NINs) with their Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs), leading to the blocking of their numbers by telecom providers in accordance with NIN-SIM linkage policies.
The compulsory linkage of NIN with SIM began in December 2020, following government directives to bar unregistered SIM cards and SIMs not linked to NINs. The NCC has since extended the deadline multiple times, with the most recent extension setting the final deadline to July 31, 2024, to allow consumers additional time for verification.
The Federal Government’s objectives for this exercise include enhancing national security and ensuring the accuracy of the national SIM ownership database. The NIN-SIM linkage policy helps verify and protect users’ identities while supporting the infrastructure needed for a robust digital economy.
Consumers who have yet to verify their SIMs are urged to do so promptly to maintain access to their lines.
The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) previously addressed concerns, clarifying that the ongoing subscriber line barring exercise is unrelated to the planned national protests against economic hardship, scheduled to start on August 1. ALTON emphasized that the NIN-SIM registration deadline had been set well in advance for July 31, 2024.
