NCC Orders Immediate Reactivation of Lines Affected by NIN-SIM Verification Issues

Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecom service providers to immediately reactivate phone lines affected by NIN-SIM verification issues, following widespread disruptions experienced by subscribers over the weekend.

In a statement released by Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at the NCC, the Commission acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the blocking of lines due to unverified National Identification Numbers (NINs) linked to Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs).

“Over the weekend, many telecom subscribers were unable to access their phone lines because of the inability to verify their National Identification Numbers (NINs) with their Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs),” Muoka said. “This meant that their numbers were blocked by their telecom service providers in keeping with the laws and policies of the NIN-SIM linkage.”

Muoka reminded the public that the compulsory linkage of NIN with SIM began in December 2020, following a government directive to bar unregistered SIM cards and those not linked to a NIN. Despite multiple deadline extensions, many phone lines remain unlinked with verified NINs.

“Since December 2023, the Commission has reviewed the deadline several times; April 15, 2024, was initially 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 Federal Government’s objectives for this exercise include enhancing national security and ensuring an accurate national SIM ownership database. The NIN-SIM linkage policy aims to verify and protect users’ identities, providing critical infrastructure that supports access to a robust digital economy.

“The consumer is our priority,” Muoka emphasized. “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 should note that this is for a limited period to allow them to properly link their NIN to their SIM.”

Muoka encouraged 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 NCC’s directive comes as a relief to millions of affected subscribers and underscores the Commission’s commitment to balancing regulatory compliance with consumer convenience.