The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecommunications operators to immediately restore all phone lines that were blocked due to the non-linkage of National Identification Numbers (NIN) to SIM cards.
This directive, disclosed by Reuben Muoka, the Director of Media and Public Affairs, on Monday, comes in response to widespread agitation from Nigerians who perceived the restrictions as attempts to frustrate an upcoming protest planned for August.
In a statement released by the NCC and obtained by Vanguard, Muoka explained that many telecom subscribers were unable to access their phone lines because they had not verified their NINs with their SIMs.
This situation resulted in their numbers being blocked by their service providers in compliance with the laws and policies governing NIN-SIM linkage.
“Over the weekend, many telecom subscribers/consumers were unable to access their phone lines due to their inability to verify their NINs with their SIMs. This resulted in their numbers being blocked by their telecom service providers in compliance with the laws and policies of the NIN-SIM linkage,” the statement read.
The compulsory linkage of NIN with SIM began in December 2020, when the government directed telecommunication companies to bar unregistered SIM cards and those not linked to NINs. Although the deadline for this exercise was initially set for April 15, 2024, it was extended to July 31, 2024, to give consumers more time to ensure their NIN details were properly verified. Despite these extensions, many phone lines remain unlinked with verified NINs.
The objectives of the NIN-SIM linkage policy include enhancing national security and ensuring the national SIM ownership database is accurate. This policy aids in verifying and protecting users’ identities while providing critical infrastructure that assures access to the benefits of a robust digital economy for the citizenry.
“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, given 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,” Muoka added.
Members of the public who have yet to verify their SIMs are encouraged to do so as soon as possible to maintain access to their lines.
