NCC Orders Telecom Operators To Bar SIMs Not Linked With NINs

Telecom providers in Nigeria have received a fresh instruction from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to block phone lines that are not linked with National Identity Numbers (NINs) by February 28, 2024.

This most recent order was issued in response to the NCC’s order from April 4, 2022, which mandated that operators limit outgoing calls (also known as one-way barring) for customers whose lines are not connected to NINs.

The directive further stated that NINs that have been filed but not verified are likewise to be completely blocked, and that lines with five or more lines linked to an unconfirmed NIN that have been submitted but not validated are to be barred on or before March 29, 2024.

In a same vein, lines that have less than five connections to an unconfirmed NIN will be blocked by April 15, 2024, at the latest, the directive posited.

The directive states that before their lines are unbarred, all impacted subscribers must undergo biometric and biodata verification.

Meanwhile, MTN Nigeria, in a notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited, said, it is further engaging the affected subscribers through all its channels to encourage them to submit their NINs for verification.

“As part of these efforts, we are enhancing the capacity of our various service outlets to make the process smoother and more efficient. We are committed to ensuring that our subscribers comply with the NCC directive and will continue to work with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to accelerate the NIN verification process. We appreciate the effort being made by the Federal Government to implement a reliable and sustainable National Identity Management system, which is a crucial enabler for national and economic development.

“Therefore, as a law-abiding corporate citizen and in line with our operating license requirements, we are committed to complying with the industry-wide directive from the NCC and will provide further updates to investors on progress and potential impact with the release of FY 2023 results,” the telecom operator appealed.

Before the deadlines, MTN Nigeria urged all of its users who haven’t connected their NIN to their lines to do so right away by going to the closest location or via any of its digital methods. It further urged those without a NIN to enroll by going to any of the National Identity Management Commission’s enrollment sites across the country.