The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has instructed telecom 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.
NCC Director, Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, in a press statement personally signed, however emphasised that the reactivation of mobile lines is for a limited period to allow users to properly link their NIN to their SIM.
The press statement read: “Over the weekend, many telecom subscribers/consumers were unable to access their phone lines because of the inability of many telecom consumers to verify their National Identification Numbers (NINs) with their Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs). This meant that their numbers were blocked by their telecom service providers in keeping with laws and policies of the NIN-SIM linkage.
“Telecoms consumers and the public will recall the compulsory linkage of NIN with SIM which began in December 2020, when the government directed telecommunication companies to bar unregistered SIM cards and SIMs that were not linked to NIN.
“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.”
Meanwhile things got out of hand when some of angry subscribers stormed the MTN office at 72 Junction, Opposite First Bank, 23 Road, Festac Town, Lagos, and took out their frustration on the buildings over allegations that the staff were unwilling to help.
A 17-second video shared on X, showed a crowd of subscribers breaking into the telecoms premises. The crowd pulled back the iron bars used as security fencing around the premises to access the building.
In response Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, in a post via X, stated, “This should not be the way to go!
It took the swift intervention of the DPO FESTAC and his men to restore normalcy and maintain peace.
