Telecommunication companies in Nigeria have commenced the final phase of disconnecting Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) numbers that are not linked to National Identification Numbers (NIN).
Initially scheduled for April 15, 2024, the disconnection deadline was postponed to July 31, 2024, by the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to accommodate challenges faced by subscribers and requests for extensions.
During the initial deadline on February 28, 2024, the NCC reported that the commission barred about 40 million lines not linked to NINs. Telcos have blamed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for delays in approving verification requests, potentially leading to the disconnection of active customers who have complied but still need to be verified.
The directive to block SIM cards not linked to NINs dates back to 2020, prompted by the government’s concerns over terrorist attacks, kidnappings, and banditry.
The current phase targets subscribers with four SIM cards linked to a single phone line, continuing a process that began in February and has been implemented in three phases.
Since Saturday, tweets about barred lines have circulated. @obasagodwin tweeted, “@MTNNG, how many times do I have to link my NIN with my line?”
@Emedymessi, “My MTN line was just barred this morning. As in my own precious line that I’ve been using for more than 10 years now. I’ve linked my NIN more than how many times, but they keep sending me messages to link it again.”
Other users suggested that the disconnections might be politically motivated, a claim dismissed by others who pointed to mismatched SIM registration and NIN details as the cause. Affected subscribers are advised to visit NIN linking portals to check their NIN status and proceed if they are not linked.
