The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has ordered the immediate reactivation of lines affected by NIN-SIM verification issues.
NCC stated this in a statement after numerous telecom subscribers in Nigeria were unable to access their phone lines over the weekend due to unverified National Identification Numbers (NINs) linked to their Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs).
This issue, which resulted in the blocking of many phone lines by telecom service providers, stems from ongoing compliance with the government’s NIN-SIM linkage policy.
In a recent statement, the Commission emphasised the importance of the NIN-SIM linkage, which has been in effect since December 2020 when the government mandated telecommunication companies to bar unregistered SIM cards and those not linked to NINs.
Since December 2023, the NCC has extended the deadline for NIN-SIM verification multiple times, with the latest extension set to July 31, 2024, allowing consumers additional time to ensure their NIN details are properly verified. Despite these extensions, a significant number of phone lines remain unlinked to verified NINs.
The Commission highlighted the objectives of the NIN-SIM linkage exercise, stating that “the objectives of this exercise by the Federal Government of Nigeria include enhancing national security and ensuring the national SIM ownership database is accurate. The 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.”
They further highlighted that their customers are priority, “The 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. Reactivated consumers are to note that this is for a limited period to allow them to properly link their NIN to their SIM.”
The NCC also urged members of the public who have yet to verify their SIMs to do so promptly. “Members of the public who are yet to verify their SIMs are encouraged to do so as soon as possible to maintain access to their lines,” the statement added.
The directive to reactivate lines aims to alleviate the immediate inconvenience faced by consumers and underscores the Commission’s commitment to prioritising consumer needs while adhering to national security measures.
NANCY MBAMALU
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