The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has maintained its position on the February 28, 2024 deadline for the linkage of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards to National Identification Numbers (NIN). Telecommunication companies have been instructed to deactivate 12 million lines that have not been linked to the owners’ NINs after the deadline.
Mouka, speaking on behalf of NCC, reiterated the stance, stating that there is no extension of the deadline. In a notice issued in December 2023, the NCC had directed telcos to deactivate SIMs not linked to NINs by February 28, 2024. Additionally, Global Satellite Mobile Communications firms were instructed to deactivate those whose NINs were submitted but not verified by March 29, 2024, and interdict those with less than five lines linked to an unverified NIN by April 15, 2024.
Gbenga Adebayo, the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), confirmed that telecom operators would comply with the directive, potentially affecting around 12 million lines. He dismissed speculations of an extension, stating that the deadline was initially set for the previous year.
The Federal High Court in Lagos has, however, restrained telecom operators from deactivating or barring any line or SIM not linked to NINs. This order was made in response to an application filed by a Lagos-based lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje.
Despite the court order, telecom operators, including MTN, Airtel, and 9Mobile, are expected to comply with the NCC’s directive. The NCC, represented by Mouka, claimed ignorance of the court injunction, leading to criticism from Ogungbeje, who argued that the NCC, as a federal agency, must obey the court order.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, major telecom operators experienced a widespread network connection crisis across the country, leading to difficulties in making calls. The chairman of ALTON clarified that this connectivity issue was unrelated to the NIN/SIM link deadline, attributing it to significant fibre cuts caused by road contractors employed by the Federal Government.
