The Nigerian Communications Commission, Telecommunications

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The Nigerian Communications Commission(NCC), Telecommunications operators are expected to start disconnecting mobile telephone lines that are not linked to National Identification Numbers, following the expiration of the September 14 deadline.

Earlier in August, the NCC said in a statement that it expected that no SIM card would remain active without a verified NIN from September 15.

The telecom regulator had encouraged subscribers who were yet to complete their NIN-SIM linkage or had faced issues due to verification mismatches to visit their service providers promptly to update their details before the deadline.

As of March 2024, data from the NCC showed 219 million active lines across mobile networks such as MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile, with 153 million already linked to NIN. This leaves approximately 66 million unlinked lines at risk of disconnection.

Between July 28 and 29, millions of lines were temporarily barred due to unverified NINs, causing widespread disruptions in the country. The NCC had reversed its decision, giving subscribers more time to comply. However, with the deadline now expired, disconnections will commence.

According to NCC officials, the possibility of an extension in the deadline set by the NCC is not in sight.

Meanwhile, a few weeks ago, subscribers have expressed frustration over the challenges they face in uploading their details on the National Identity Management Commission portal.

Adeolu Ogungbanjo, the President of the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers, described the situation as terrible after visiting some telecom centers.

He said the existing portal challenges are obstructing the timely completion of the NIN-SIM linkage, adding, “Without immediate action, subscribers will struggle to meet the deadline.”

He pleaded that the NCC should consider extending the deadline due to the technical issues that marred the process of registration last week.

In March, the NIMC and NCC strengthened their partnership to streamline the NIN-SIM linkage process. Both agencies launched public awareness campaigns, stakeholder training, and the dissemination of accurate information to help citizens comply with the directives.

According to financial results from the first half of 2024, MTN Nigeria and Airtel Africa barred a combined 13.5 million lines for non-compliance with the NIN-SIM linkage directive.

MTN reported it had blocked 8.6 million lines, while Airtel stated that 8.7 million of its customers had completed verification.

The compulsory linkage of NIN with SIM cards began in December 2020, when the government ordered telcos to bar unregistered SIMs and those without NIN links.

Following multiple deadline extensions by the NCC since December 2023, April 15, 2024, was set as the final deadline for fully barring subscribers with four or fewer SIMs having unverified NIN details.