In a significant move to address the widespread disruption in telecommunications services, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed all telecom operators to immediately restore phone lines that were blocked due to the non-linkage of National Identification Numbers (NIN) with SIM cards. This directive was announced on Monday by Reuben Muoka, the NCC’s Director of Media and Public Affairs.
The decision comes in response to the substantial inconvenience caused to consumers across the nation, many of whom found themselves unable to access their phone lines over the weekend.
This issue arose when subscribers failed to verify their NINs with their SIM cards, leading to the automatic blocking of their numbers in accordance with the NIN-SIM linkage regulations.
The blockage prompted widespread outrage and protests, particularly on Monday, as frustrated subscribers flooded MTN offices nationwide, demanding the immediate reactivation of their phone lines.
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The mandatory NIN-SIM linkage, introduced in December 2020, aims to bolster national security and create an accurate database of SIM ownership. Despite multiple deadline extensions, the most recent being until July 31, 2024, a significant number of phone lines remain unverified.
Since December 2023, the NCC has reviewed and extended the deadline several times. Initially, the deadline for full network compliance was set for April 15, 2024, with an exception for subscribers with four or fewer SIMs that had unverified NIN details. This deadline was later extended to July 31, 2024, to give consumers additional time to verify their NIN details.
Despite these extensions, a substantial number of phone lines remain unlinked with verified NINs, which the NCC has acknowledged as a significant issue. The commission has clarified that the current directive to restore blocked lines is a temporary measure to provide consumers with another opportunity to link their NINs with their SIM cards.
The NCC has urged all subscribers who have not yet completed the verification process to do so promptly to avoid future disruptions. The commission emphasized that the reactivation period is limited and consumers should take immediate action to ensure continuous access to their services.
Telecom operators, under the umbrella of the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), have clarified that the recent disconnections were not related to the August 1 protests.
They explained that the harmonization process has been ongoing for several months and is intended to enhance the accuracy and integrity of the national SIM registration database. ALTON reiterated its commitment to supporting government initiatives while safeguarding the communication rights, data privacy, and security of all subscribers.
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In summary, the NCC’s directive aims to mitigate the immediate inconvenience faced by millions of subscribers while reinforcing the importance of the NIN-SIM linkage for national security.
Consumers are encouraged to utilize this grace period to ensure their NINs are correctly linked to their SIM cards, thereby maintaining uninterrupted access to their telecommunications services.