Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC, has ordered the immediate reactivation of lines blocked by telecommunication companies in the country over National Identification Numbers, NINs, with Subscriber Identification Modules, SIMs, verification issues.
Many subscribers at the weekend were unable to access their phone lines due to their inability to link their NINs with their SIMs.
The deactivation was in line with the policy of the Nigerian government that all subscriber lines must be linked with the customer’s NINs.
The policy, according to government, was part of measures to curb the escalating security challenges in the country.
However, blockage of subscribers’ lines at the weekend generated massive outrage yesterday (Monday), as subscribers stormed MTN and Glo offices across the country, demanding the reactivation of their blocked phone lines.
Following the outcry, the regulatory commission directed the restoration of the deactivated lines.
The directive was disclosed in a statement signed by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, NCC, Reuben Muoka.
The commission explained that the directive was in response to the widespread disruption caused by the blockage and to prioritise consumer convenience.
“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,” the commission explained.
Meanwhile, it clarified that the reactivation was for a limited period to allow the affected consumers properly link their NIN to their SIM.
The commission urged all subscribers who have not yet verified their SIMs to do so promptly to maintain access to their services.
According to the statement, “Telecoms consumers and the public will recall the compulsory linkage of NIN with SIM which began in December 2020 when government directed telecommunication companies to bar unregistered SIM cards and SIMs that were not linked to NIN.
“Since December 2023, the commission has since reviewed the deadline a few times; April 15 was set as the deadline for the full network barring of subscribers with four or fewer SIMs that had unverified NIN details. This deadline was then reviewed to July 31 to give consumers more time to ensure that their submitted NIN details are properly verified. Despite these extensions, many phone lines are yet to be linked with verified NINs.
“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.
“The consumer is our priority, therefore, considering the challenges that 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 properly link their NIN to their SIM.
“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.”
