SIM-NIN Linkage: Telecoms Commence Final Phase Of Disconnection
In compliance with the directive from the Federal Government, Telecommunications companies in Nigeria on Sunday, July 28, 2024 commenced the disconnection of Subscriber Identity Module numbers (telephone lines) that are not linked to National Identification Numbers (NIN).
This was as thousands of subscribers in the early hours of Monday, July 29, 2024 besieged offices of telecommunication companies to get their SIM linked with their NIN.
The Nigeria Communications Commission which hitherto gave the telecom companies marching order to disconnect SIM lines that were not linked to NIN to be disconnected from the network with effect from April 15, 2024, later extended the time to July 31, 2024, after taking into consideration the challenges being experienced by subscribers and requests for extensions.
However, one of the major Telecom companies, MTN commenced disconnection of their subscribers whose SIM are not linked with their NIN on Sunday ahead of the scheduled date granted by the NCC.
The move by the telecoms to begin disconnection ahead of the July 31, 2024 deadline has sparked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians sharing their experiences and complaints on X stating that their SIM cards were barred. Some of the subscribers expressed concern that in spite of their completing the SIN-NIN linkage with proof of evidence of compliance, they were still barred.
Bashir Ahmad, who was Digital Communications Assistant to former President Muhammadu Buhari, wrote on his X handle saying; “It seems MTN has blocked hundreds of numbers from their network today. Many people around me have complained about losing service. Has anyone else experienced this issue?”
Similarly, a subscriber, Kensola expressed frustration over his blocked line, saying that he linked his SIM with NIN for years now thus does not really know what the problem lies?
He said; “Are we sure the state actors are not trying to stamp on dissenting voices? Let’s all be mindful!”
Jude Bela particularly questioned MTN’s actions, saying; “MTNNG, why are you blocking lines that are already linked to NIN? I just checked to confirm that my NIN is still linked, yet my number was suspiciously blocked. You’re causing distress for Nigerians at a very convenient time. The question is, ‘Why’?”
The Federal Government had said in 2020 that the decision was prompted by the continuous terrorists’ attacks, kidnappings, and acts of banditry nationwide.
The Telecoms disconnection process which started in February 2024, was designed to take place in three phases with the second phase scheduled for March 29, 2024.
During the first phase, NCC announced that about 40 million lines that were not linked to NINs were barred.
However, telecommunication operators have blamed the National Identity Management Commission for its slow response in approving customer verification requests to link their phone numbers.
They said the development which limited the number of approved verification requests to link their NINs during the last extension period might lead to the disconnection of active customers who fulfilled the requirements but were unverified by the identity commission.
Speaking on the development, chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, expressed concerns that a good number of active customers might be blocked if a solution is not provided before Tuesday.
The NCC in December 2023, directed telecoms operators in the country to undertake full network barring of all SIMs that failed to submit their NIN on or before February 28, 2024.
In the same vein, guidelines were issued directing that no customer should have more than four active SIMs as all such excess SIMs must be barred by March 29, 2024.
