The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has insisted that there will be no extension after the February 28 deadline for the disconnection of unregistered SIM cards, including those not linked to the National Identification Number (NIN).
The NCC said it had directed all telecom operators to commence total disconnection of such SIM cards from Wednesday, as part of the measures to enhance national security and identity management.
The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and spokesman for telecoms operators, Gbanga Adebayo, confirmed this to THIS DAY, via a telephone call, saying that telecoms operators were under obligation to comply with the directive of the telecoms industry regulator.
“It is a directive that is in accordance with regulatory orders and we will commence total disconnection of all unregistered SIM cards and all SIM cards that are not linked to NIN,” he said.
He explained that since the NCC gave the directive in December last year, telecoms operators had carried out several campaigns to sensitise their customers on the need to ensure proper registration of their SIM cards and to also link them to their NIN.
He added that telecom operators had even commenced partial disconnection, where SIM cards were blocked from generating calls, even though such SIM cards were still able to receive calls from other networks.
“The implication of the total disconnection which begins today, is that telecoms operators will bar all unregistered SIM cards, all improperly registered SIM cards and all SIM cards that are not linked to NIN, from receiving and making calls,” he said.
He, however, said those who would be affected by the total disconnection, would have to visit their telecoms service provider for registration and validation of SIM-NIN linkage.
The Director of Public Affairs at NCC, Reuben Muoka, told THISDAY in a telephone conversation that there would be no date extension on the deadline.
The February 28 deadline stands, and there is no going back. There will be no date extension on the deadline. All those that will be affected, need to go back to their service provider for proper SIM registration after they must have shown evidence of NIN registration,” he said.
He added that once the revalidation exercise was concluded, the customers’ SIM would be reactivated and the customer would start receiving and making calls again.
He also dismissed some media reports that the court had ordered NCC to extend the February 28 deadline, saying that the commission was not aware of any court order on extension of the deadline.
He insisted that there was no going back on the decision of NCC to commence total disconnection of unregistered SIMs and SIMs that are not linked to NIN.
The NCC had given the order in December last year, citing concerns about insecurity such as kidnapping, where kidnappers use mobile phones that are connected to SIM cards to make calls and ask for ransom before releasing their victims.
The NCC had communicated all operators in writing, urging them to comply with the order and cooperate with the government in its efforts to enhance national security and identity management.
The NCC had also said that the linking of SIM cards to NIN would help to create a credible database of Nigerians and residents, and facilitate the implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy.
The NIN is a unique identification number issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to individuals upon enrolment and verification of their biometric and demographic data.
According to the NIMC, the NIN is mandatory for accessing various government services and benefits, such as passport issuance, voter registration, bank account opening, tax payment, pension claims, and social welfare programs.
