TENSION! As FG orders MTN, Others To Block These Users On Friday Over NIN Issues, See Details
In a bid to bolster security measures and enforce regulatory compliance within Nigeria’ s telecommunications sector, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is pressing forward with its directive to disconnect SIM cards not linked to National Identification Numbers (NIN). The NCC’ s Director of Public Publicity, Reuben Mouka, has reaffirmed that telecommunication companies will proceed with disconnecting more SIM numbers on Friday, March 29, 2024, as part of the second phase of the initiative.
This stringent measure comes after the initial phase, which took place on February 28, 2024, resulting in approximately 40 million lines being barred due to non- compliance. Among the major telecommunication providers, MTN Nigeria alone reported over 4. 2 million lines disconnected from its network following the deadline. Despite concerns raised by entities like the Socio- Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), which threatened legal action against the NCC, the regulatory body remains steadfast in its commitment to enforcing the SIM- NIN linkage policy.
Introduced by the Nigerian government in December 2020, the SIM- NIN linkage policy mandates all telephone line users to associate their SIM cards with their NINs. This initiative aims to enhance the integrity of subscriber data and fortify security measures within the telecommunications industry. The NCC’ s directive, issued in December of the previous year, instructed all telecommunications operators, including MTN, Airtel, and Globacom, among others, to implement complete network barring on phone lines lacking NIN linkage by February 28, 2024.
The phased rollout of the disconnection process underscores the NCC’ s systematic approach to ensure compliance with the policy while mitigating disruptions to telecommunications services. With the second phase set for March 29, 2024, and the third phase slated to commence on April 15, 2024, subscribers are urged to expedite the linkage of their SIM cards to their NINs to avoid potential service interruptions.
Despite criticisms and legal threats, the NCC remains resolute in its pursuit of regulatory enforcement aimed at safeguarding national security interests and enhancing data integrity within the telecommunications ecosystem. As Nigeria grapples with evolving security challenges, initiatives like the SIM- NIN linkage serve as critical mechanisms to combat illicit activities and protect the interests of both consumers and stakeholders in the telecommunications industry.
In the coming weeks, as the deadline for the third phase approaches, stakeholders anticipate heightened efforts from telecommunication companies to ensure widespread compliance with the SIM- NIN linkage policy. As subscribers navigate the process of linking their SIM cards to their NINs, vigilance and cooperation are paramount to minimize disruptions and uphold the integrity of Nigeria’ s telecommunications infrastructure.
