The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has mandated the reconnection of all MTN lines affected by the recent mass disconnection due to the NIN-SIM linkage issue. Many telecom subscribers were unable to access their phone lines over the weekend because they had not verified their National Identification Numbers (NINs) with their Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs).
The disconnections occurred as part of the government’s policy requiring all SIM cards to be linked to NINs to enhance national security and maintain an accurate national SIM ownership database. This policy, which began in December 2020, aims to verify and protect users’ identities and support a robust digital economy.
Despite several deadline extensions, the most recent being from April 15, 2024, to July 31, 2024, many subscribers still had not linked their NINs to their SIMs. As a result, their numbers were blocked in compliance with the regulations.
In response to the widespread inconvenience caused by these blockages, the NCC has now directed telecom operators to reactivate all disconnected lines temporarily. This move is intended to give consumers more time to complete the NIN-SIM verification process.
Reuben Muoka, NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, stated, “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.”
The NCC encourages all members of the public who have yet to verify their SIMs to do so as soon as possible to maintain access to their lines.
