Telecommunication companies in Nigeria will disconnect more Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) numbers that are not linked to National Identification Numbers (NIN) on Friday, March 29, 2024, according to the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC). Reuben Mouka, the Director of Publicity at the NCC, confirmed this information during a phone call with The HEADLINENEWS, emphasizing that there will be no changes to the deadline for the upcoming phase of disconnection.
The NCC’s directive for disconnection is being implemented in stages, with the second phase scheduled for March 29, 2024, and the third phase set to begin on April 15, 2024. Mouka stated that subscribers who do not adhere to the directive will face disconnection, as previously announced.
During the last deadline on February 28, 2024, around 40 million lines that were not linked to NIN were disconnected, with MTN Nigeria reporting over 4.2 million lines disconnected from their network after the deadline.
The NCC remains committed to enforcing regulatory measures to enhance security and compliance within the telecommunications sector. The SIM-NIN linkage initiative aims to improve subscriber data integrity and security measures in the industry.
The NIN-SIM linkage policy was introduced by the Nigerian government in December 2020, requiring all phone users in Nigeria to associate their SIM cards with their NIN. The NCC had directed all telecommunications operators in Nigeria to bar phone lines that were not linked to NIN by February 28, 2024.
Recently, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) warned of taking legal action against the NCC regarding the directive instructing network providers to block phone lines of individuals not linked to their NINs. SERAP emphasized the need for further consultation and an efficient process for Nigerians to link their SIM cards to their NINs.
In collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission, the NCC announced a strategic partnership to streamline the NIN-SIM linkage procedures for telecommunications subscribers nationwide. Both agencies are dedicated to improving the efficiency of the initiative and enhancing security measures and service delivery.
Additionally, the Central Bank of Nigeria announced plans to freeze accounts without a Bank Verification Number (BVN) or NIN starting April 2024, mandating the revalidation of all BVNs or NINs linked to accounts by January 31, 2024. Deposit money banks have been urging customers to update their NIN and BVN details since the issuance of this directive.
