The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced that telecommunications operators will start disconnecting mobile telephone lines that are not linked to National Identification Numbers (NIN) following the expiration of the September 14 deadline.
As of March 2024, data from the NCC showed 219 million active lines across mobile networks, with 153 million already linked to NIN, leaving approximately 66 million unlinked lines at risk of disconnection.
The NCC had encouraged subscribers who were yet to complete their NIN-SIM linkage or faced issues due to verification mismatches to visit their service providers promptly to update their details before the deadline.
However, with the deadline now expired, disconnections will commence. Speaking to The PUNCH, an NCC official emphasized, “We will disconnect anyone who refuses to comply; the grace period is over.”
The official clarified that the commission has no intention of deliberately disconnecting subscribers, but a significant number of Nigerians have opted not to link their SIMs to their NIN for various reasons.
A few weeks ago, subscribers expressed frustration over the challenges they faced in uploading their details on the National Identity Management Commission portal. The President of the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers described the situation as “terrible” and pleaded for an extension due to technical issues.
In March, the NIMC and NCC strengthened their partnership to streamline the NIN-SIM linkage process, launching public awareness campaigns and stakeholder training 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.
The compulsory linkage of NIN with SIM cards began in December 2020, and following multiple deadline extensions, the NCC has emphasized that there will be no further extensions, and disconnections will commence.
The NCC official stated, “Let me be clear—there will be no further extensions.” Subscribers are urged to complete the NIN-SIM linkage process to avoid disconnection.
