In response to widespread dissatisfaction regarding the deactivation of SIM cards due to unresolved NIN-SIM verification issues, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) issued an urgent directive on Monday, instructing telecommunications companies to promptly reactivate all affected lines.
This move aims to ease the frustrations of numerous Nigerian users. The announcement provided relief to many subscribers after reports emerged over the weekend of significant interruptions in mobile services, as their SIM cards were blocked for not complying with the NIN-SIM linkage requirements.
Frustrated subscribers flocked to the offices of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in Ikeja, Lagos, and various customer service centres of telecommunications companies to resolve the situation. At a customer care centre in Ojodu-Beger, Lagos, company representatives assisted subscribers with linking their SIMs and addressing their issues related to the linkage. One subscriber, Mr. Tochukwu Amadi, shared with Daily Sun that she discovered her line was inactive over the weekend. “I woke up and found I couldn’t make calls.
I attempted to link my NIN to my SIM but was unsuccessful. That’s why I came here, and with the help of the customer care representative, I was able to resolve the issue,” she stated. Other subscribers echoed her sentiments. Several subscribers reported difficulties in making calls. The mandatory linkage of NIN with SIM began in December 2020 when the government instructed telecommunications companies to block unregistered SIM cards and those not linked to NIN.
Since December 2023, the Commission has adjusted the deadline multiple times; April 15, 2024, was initially set for the full blocking of subscribers with four or fewer SIMs lacking verified NIN details. This deadline was later extended to July 31, 2024, to allow consumers additional time to ensure their submitted NIN details are accurately verified. Despite these extensions, many phone lines remain unlinked to verified NINs.
The Federal Government of Nigeria’s initiative aims to enhance national security and maintain an accurate national SIM ownership database. The NIN-SIM linkage policy is designed to verify and protect users’ identities while establishing critical infrastructure that supports access to a robust digital economy for citizens.
In contrast to speculations suggesting a connection between the recent disconnections and planned national protests on August 1, the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators in Nigeria (ALTON) denied any link, asserting that the ongoing barring of subscriber lines is unrelated to the anticipated protest. The association emphasized that the deadline for NIN/SIM linkage registration was previously set for July 31, 2024. “The reality is that the harmonization process of the SIM registration database and the National Identity Database has been taking place for several months.
This effort aims to enhance the integrity of the National SIM registration database. Customers with blocked lines are those whose service providers identified discrepancies between the records in both databases. We encourage such customers to reach out to their service providers through the designated channels for resolution. “The harmonization process has been underway for several months to strengthen the integrity of the SIM registration database,” ALTON stated. “Customers facing issues should contact their service providers for assistance.”
