Nigeria’s Communication Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its stance on disconnecting more Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) numbers not linked to National Identification Numbers (NIN) on Friday, March 29, 2024.
This directive, as confirmed by the Director of Public Publicity at the NCC, Reuben Mouka, remains unchanged, maintaining the deadlines set for subsequent phases of disconnection.
The second phase of the NCC’s disconnection directive, which initially commenced on February 28, 2024, will continue as planned on March 29, 2024. This follows the disconnection of approximately 40 million lines during the initial phase, with MTN Nigeria alone reporting over 4.2 million disconnected lines after the February deadline.
The NCC emphasised its commitment to enforcing regulatory measures aimed at bolstering security and compliance within the telecommunications sector. The ongoing SIM-NIN linkage initiative is regarded as pivotal in enhancing subscriber data integrity and overall security measures in the industry.
The NIN-SIM linkage policy, introduced by the Nigerian government in December 2020, mandates all telephone line users to associate their SIM cards with their NINs.
Failure to comply led to a directive issued by the NCC in December of the preceding year, compelling all telecommunications operators, including major providers such as MTN, Airtel, and Globacom, to enforce network barring on non-compliant phone lines by February 28, 2024.
Amidst these developments, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) had issued a warning of legal action against the NCC if the directive to block unlinked SIM cards wasn’t revoked. SERAP stressed the need for further consultation and an efficient process for Nigerians yet to link their SIM cards to their NINs.
Responding to these concerns, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the NCC recently announced a strategic partnership to simplify the NIN-SIM linkage procedures for subscribers nationwide. Both agencies reiterated their dedication to enhancing processes and improving efficiency regarding this initiative, acknowledging its significance in bolstering security measures and service delivery across Nigeria.
In parallel, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced plans to freeze accounts lacking a Bank Verification Number (BVN) or NIN, effective April 2024. Furthermore, the CBN mandated all BVNs or NINs linked to accounts or wallets to be electronically revalidated by January 31, 2024. This directive prompted deposit money banks to urge customers to update their NIN and BVN details, with the CBN imposing “Post No Debit” restrictions on unfunded accounts without BVN or NIN, effective immediately.
Moving forward, it is essential for subscribers to adhere to the set deadlines and ensure compliance with the SIM-NIN linkage directives to avoid potential disruptions in telecommunication services and banking transactions.
