The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecom providers to block SIM cards without a National Identity Number (NIN) following the deadline of February 28 for linking Subscriber Identity Module cards to NINs.
Speaking at the NCC’s Special Day during the ongoing 45th Kaduna International Trade Fair on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the National Communication Commission (NCC), confirmed the development.
Reuben Mouka, the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, representing Maida, said that telecommunications companies have already been directed to block all lines not connected to NIN on or before the deadline, ruling out a postponement of the deadline until February 28.
“All telecommunications companies have been instructed by the National Communication Commission to block phone lines of subscribers whose lines are not linked to their NINs on or before February 28, 2024.
“The Commission performs its duties as the nation’s regulator of the telecommunications industry to guarantee service accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability for all customer categories that use ICT/Telecoms to power their personal and professional endeavors.
On the other hand, “we must address the challenges faced by consumers and NCC is committed to protecting their rights while ensuring their satisfaction” in order to advance economic growth through the creation of local content.
ALTON validates the development as well.
Gbenga Adebayo, the chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, also discussed the issue with ThePunch, stating that telecom companies would follow the NCC’s mandate.
About 12 million of Nigeria’s 224 million active lines, in his estimation, were in risk of being deactivated.
About 12 million SIM cards are unrelated to NIN. Some of these SIM cards are compatible with mifi devices and modems. By midnight today, services that are not correctly linked to NIN will be revoked from those numbers, following the regulatory directives. We will abide by that regulatory mandate, we stand by it,” Adebayo declared.
Rumors of a potential deadline extension were also refuted by Adebayo, who stated that the deadline ought to have taken effect in 2023.