ABUJA: The regulatory body of telecommunications in Nigeria, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has ordered telecommunications operators to immediately restore all phone lines blocked due to non-linkage of National Identification Numbers, NIN, to SIM cards.
The Commission, NCC, has ordered telecommunications operators to immediately reactivate blocked phone lines as a result of non-linkage of National Identification Numbers, NIN. to SIM cards
There are insunations from many Nigerians were over what they perceived as restrictions by the NCC, which they felt were attempts to frustrate the August planned protest.
In a statement released by the NCC, Mr Muoka stated that many telecom subscribers/consumers were unable to access their phone lines because of the inability of many telecom consumers to verify their NINs with their SIMs.
The statement read, “Over the weekend, several telecom subscribers/consumers were unable to access their phone lines due to their inability to verify their NINs with their SIMs.
“The actions affected several numbers being blocked by their telecom service providers in compliance with the laws and policies of the NIN-SIM .
Telecoms consumers and the public will remember the compulsory linkage of NIN with SIM, which began in December 2020, when the government directed telecommunication companies to bar unregistered SIM cards and SIMs that were not linked to NIN.
“Since December 2023, the Commission has reviewed the deadline a few times; April 15, 2024, was set as the deadline for the full network barring of subscribers with four or fewer SIMs that had unverified NIN details.
“This deadline was then reviewed to July 31, 2024, to give consumers more time to ensure their submitted NIN details are properly verified. Despite these extensions, many phone lines have yet to be linked with verified National Identity Number.
“Members of the public who have yet to link and verify their SIMs are encouraged to do so as soon as possible to maintain access to their lines.
