Updated: NCC Orders Immediate Reactivation of All Lines Affected by NIN-SIM Verification

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has mandated the immediate reactivation of telephone lines affected by recent NIN-SIM verification issues. According to a statement released on Monday by the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, all telecom operators have been instructed to restore service to lines that were disconnected over the weekend. This reactivation is intended to provide consumers with additional time to link their National Identification Numbers (NIN) with their Subscriber Identification Modules (SIM).

Mr. Muoka emphasized that the reactivation is temporary, urging affected consumers to promptly complete the NIN-SIM linkage process to maintain continuous access to their services. The statement highlighted the urgency for those who have not yet verified their SIMs to do so immediately.

The directive follows widespread disruptions over the weekend, which left many telecom subscribers unable to access their phone lines due to incomplete NIN-SIM verification. This issue arose from the government’s mandate, initiated in December 2020, requiring the compulsory linkage of NIN with SIM cards to enhance national security and maintain an accurate national SIM ownership database.

Since December 2023, the NCC has extended the deadline for this verification several times, most recently setting it to July 31, 2024. Despite these extensions, a significant number of phone lines remain unlinked to verified NINs.

The Federal Government’s objectives with this policy include bolstering national security and ensuring accurate SIM registration. The NIN-SIM linkage is also intended to verify and protect user identities, thereby supporting the country’s digital economy infrastructure.

In light of the recent disruptions, the NCC’s directive aims to mitigate the impact on consumers and facilitate the completion of the NIN-SIM linkage process. The public is strongly encouraged to take advantage of this temporary reprieve to ensure their NIN details are properly linked with their SIM cards.