NCC Orders Telecom Operators to Reactivate Blocked Lines
By Patience Ikpeme
The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has mandated telecom operators to immediately reactivate mobile lines affected by National Identification Number (NIN) and Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) verification issues.
This directive, issued in a statement signed by Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at the NCC, aims to alleviate the inconvenience faced by many subscribers many of whom suffered widespread disruption.
Over the weekend, numerous telecom subscribers found themselves unable to access their phone lines. This development was due to the inability of many users to verify their NINs with their SIMs, resulting in blocked numbers by telecom service providers as per the regulations and policies governing the NIN-SIM linkage.
The mandatory linkage of NIN with SIM began in December 2020 when the government instructed telecommunication companies to bar unregistered SIM cards and those not linked to a NIN. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance national security and ensure the accuracy of the national SIM ownership database. The policy helps verify and protect users’ identities while providing essential infrastructure to support a robust digital economy.
Despite the initial deadline set for April 15, 2024, for the full network barring of subscribers with unverified NIN details, the Commission extended this deadline to July 31, 2024, to give consumers more time to ensure their NIN details were properly verified. Nevertheless, many phone lines remain unlinked with verified NINs.
“The consumer is our priority,” stated the NCC. “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.”
The NCC urged members of the public who have not yet verified their SIMs to do so as soon as possible to maintain access to their lines. The reactivation is a temporary measure designed to provide relief and facilitate the ongoing verification process.
This directive underscores the NCC’s commitment to minimizing the impact of the NIN-SIM linkage policy on consumers while ensuring the success of this critical national exercise.
