The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has ordered the reactivation of barred lines after telecommunication subscribers blocked numerous lines that are not linked with a National Identification Number (NIN) over the weekend.
In a statement on Monday, the regulator noted that even though subscribers were barred because they had not verified their NINs with their SIMs, it has now directed operators to reactivate all lines that were disconnected over the weekend.
“Reactivated consumers are to note that this is for a limited period to allow them to properly link their NIN to their SIM,” the commission said.
According to the NCC, it reviewed an April 15, 2024, deadline to July 31, 2024, deadline to give subscribers time to line their SIMs and NINs. It, however, noted that despite these extensions, many phone lines are yet to be linked with verified NINs.
Since December 2023, the Commission has since reviewed the deadline a few times; April 15, 2024 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, 2024, to give consumers more time to ensure 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 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 to 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.
The NCC did not clarify if this new grace period will extend beyond its July 31, 2024, initial deadline.
