Nigerian telecom subscribers celebrate NCC’s directive to reconnect barred SIM cards

In a significant development, telecommunications subscribers across Nigeria have lauded the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for instructing Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to reconnect Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards that had been barred from making and receiving calls.

The directive, which followed a series of complaints and public outcry, was welcomed by the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS). Speaking in a telephone interview on Monday, NATCOMS National President Adeolu Ogunbanjo commended the NCC for its timely intervention, describing it as a positive step that reflects the regulator’s responsiveness to the concerns of Nigerians.

“This is a laudable development,” Ogunbanjo stated. “The NCC’s directive ensures that subscribers are not left in limbo and demonstrates the commission’s commitment to its regulatory responsibilities. It also clears the air that the disconnection was unrelated to the planned hardship protest scheduled for August 1-10.”

The directive came after reports indicated that MNOs, including MTN, Globacom, Airtel, and 9mobile, had disconnected several subscribers over the weekend due to issues related to the mandatory linkage of National Identity Numbers (NIN) with SIM cards. The disconnection led to widespread frustration, prompting many subscribers to visit MNO offices on Monday to resolve their issues.

The mandatory NIN-SIM linkage initiative, introduced in December 2020, aims to enhance national security by curbing the misuse of SIM cards for fraudulent and criminal activities. Although the exercise has seen multiple extensions to accommodate subscribers, the latest deadline of July 31, 2024, was set on April 15, giving subscribers additional time to comply.

This recent move by the NCC to reconnect disconnected lines has been widely seen as a balancing act between enforcing regulatory policies and addressing the concerns of millions of subscribers. The intervention underscores the importance of effective communication between regulators, service providers, and consumers to maintain public trust in the telecommunications sector.