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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has authorized telecommunication companies (Telcos) to disconnect subscribers with five or more lines linked to unverified National Identification Numbers (NINs) starting Friday, March 29, 2024. This follows a December 20, 2023, directive mandating Telcos to block SIMs not linked to the NINs of their owners by February 28, 2024.
According to the NCC’s guidelines, all telecom operators, including MTN, Airtel, and Globacom, were instructed to enforce full network barring on unlinked NINs by February 28, 2024. Additionally, phone lines with submitted but unverified NINs will face full barring in phases.
Lines linked to five or more unverified NINs must be barred by March 29, 2024. Lines linked to fewer than five unverified NINs are to be barred by April 15, 2024.
Telcos have already disconnected an estimated 40 million telephone lines as a result of these directives. MTN Nigeria disclosed that over 4.2 million lines were disconnected from its network alone after the February 28 deadline.
Recent data from the NCC revealed that mobile subscriptions in Nigeria declined by over six million in January 2024, dropping to 218 million from 224.4 million in December 2023.
As the March 29 deadline approaches, Gbenga Adebayo, President of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), emphasized that there will be no extension for subscribers with unverified NINs linked to multiple lines.
“This is a matter of national security. We urge consumers to take advantage of the seamless process now available, thanks to the partnership between the NCC and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), to link their NINs to their SIMs,” Adebayo said.
Subscribers are advised to complete their NIN-SIM linkage promptly to avoid service disruptions.
