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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has extended the deadline for linking phone numbers to National Identification Numbers (NINs) as over 30 million lines remain unlinked. This includes lines in devices such as car trackers, MiFi units, Wi-Fi devices, and Point of Sale (PoS) machines.
The deadline for linking NINs to phone lines was set for July 31, 2024, but many subscribers experienced issues with their NINs not matching telecom operators’ records. Some subscribers claimed their NINs were already linked, but discrepancies between telecom operators and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) caused confusion.
As of March 2024, Nigeria had 219 million active mobile lines, and the NCC began disconnecting unlinked lines in phases earlier in the year. About 50 million lines were affected in earlier rounds. Telecom operators such as MTN Nigeria and Airtel Africa reported that 13.5 million lines were impacted in the first half of 2024.
The NCC’s extension allows consumers more time to resolve any NIN linking issues. Telecom operators were directed to temporarily reactivate disconnected lines to give customers a chance to fix the problems. The NCC emphasized that it’s committed to ensuring a reliable national database and urged individuals to provide accurate information during registration.
