*The Nigerian Communications Commission directs the country鈥檚 Mobile Network Operators to reactivate all blocked phone lines, to enable subscribers to undertake verification of their National Identifications Numbers with SIM Cards within the 鈥榮hort time available for telecoms consumers鈥�, restating the objectives of NIN-SIM linkage as enhancing national security, accurate national SIM ownership database, and consumers鈥� access to benefits of a robust digital economy in the country

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

Following the challenges that blockades of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Cards have caused several telecoms consumers over the weekend, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed the country鈥檚 Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to reactivate all blocked phone lines, to enable subscribers to undertake verification of their National Identifications Numbers (NINs) with SIMs within the available short time to do so.

The NCC, which issued the directive in a statement Monday, July 29, 2024, said at the weekend, several telecoms consumers/subscribers were unable to access their phone lines because of their inability to verify their NINs with their SIM Cards.

Mr. Reuben Muoka, Director Public Affairs (DPA) at NCC, stated that implication, such consumers鈥� phone numbers were blocked by their telecoms service providers in keeping with laws and policies of the NIN-SIM linkage in Nigeria.

The telecoms sector regulatory Commission also reminded telecoms consumers and the general public that the compulsory linkage of NIN with SIM had begun December 2020, when the Federal Government of Nigeria directed telecommunications companies to bar 鈥渦nregistered SIM Cards and SIMs that were not linked to NINs.鈥�

Muoka said since December 2023, the Commission had since reviewed the deadline a few times, noting that April 15, 2024, was set as the deadline for the full network barring of subscribers with four or fewer SIMs that had unverified NIN details.

The NCC further explained that it again, reviewed the April 15 deadline for NIN-SIM verification to July 31 this year, in order to afford more telecoms consumers additional time to ensure their submitted NIN details are properly verified.

The Commission stated: 鈥淒espite these extensions, many phone lines are yet to be linked with verified NINs.

Why NIN-SIM linkage and verification in Nigeria

The regulator stated: 鈥淭he objectives of this exercise by the Federal Government of Nigeria include enhancing national security and ensuring the national SIM ownership database is accurate.

鈥淭he NIN-SIM linkage policy aids in verifying and protecting users’ identities while also providing a critical infrastructure that assures access to the benefits of a robust digital economy for the citizenry.鈥�

The NCC further noted 鈥渢he consumer is our priority, therefore, considering the challenges the blockages have caused, the Commission has directed all operators to reactivate all lines that were disconnected over the weekend in view of the short time available for consumers to undertake the verification of their NINs with their SIMs.

鈥淩eactivated consumers are to note that this is for a limited period to allow them to properly link their NIN to their SIM.鈥�

The statement added that members of the public, who are yet to verify their SIM Cards, are encouraged to do so 鈥渁s soon as possible to maintain access to their lines.鈥�

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