Telecom Operators Begin NIN-SIM Linkage Phone Line Disconnection After Deadline

Telcos Begin Blocking Phone Lines Without NIN as Deadline Expires

Telecommunications companies in Nigeria have initiated the disconnection of phone lines that have not complied with the NIN-SIM linkage phone line disconnection policy. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had set a September 14 deadline for linking National Identification Numbers (NIN) to SIM cards, and as of September 15, any mobile lines without this linkage have started to be deactivated.

In an earlier statement, the NCC urged subscribers to resolve any NIN-SIM linkage phone line disconnection issues, such as verification mismatches, by updating their details with service providers before the deadline. Despite these warnings, a significant number of subscribers have failed to complete the process.

According to NCC data from March 2024, there were 219 million active mobile lines in Nigeria. However, only 153 million lines were linked to NINs, leaving 66 million subscribers at risk of NIN-SIM linkage phone line disconnection. The NCC had previously paused the disconnection of millions of lines in July, but with the grace period now over, the process has officially resumed.

As the disconnections continue, many subscribers have voiced concerns over technical problems with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) portal, which has caused delays in the NIN-SIM linkage phone line disconnection process. The President of the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers, Adeolu Ogungbanjo, called the situation “terrible” and urged the NCC to consider extending the deadline due to persistent challenges with NIN registration.

Efforts to streamline the process have been ongoing since March, with public awareness campaigns and collaboration between stakeholders, including telecom giants like MTN and Airtel. These companies reported barring over 13 million lines in early 2024 for non-compliance with the NIN-SIM linkage phone line disconnection directive.

The NIN-SIM linkage initiative, introduced in December 2020, was designed to enhance security and monitor mobile network usage in the country. With the latest developments, it is clear that the NCC remains firm on enforcing the policy, despite the outcry from some subscribers.