NCC proposes 14-day advance notice for SIM deactivation to strengthen consumer protection

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has proposed a new rule requiring telecom operators to notify subscribers at least 14 days before deactivating their SIM cards due to inactivity or postpaid churn, as part of broader reforms linked to the rollout of the Telecoms Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS).

The proposal, detailed in a consultation paper titled Stakeholders Consultation Process for the Telecoms Identity Risks Management Platform and dated February 2026, is aimed at enhancing consumer protection and reducing identity-related fraud risks tied to recycled or dormant SIM cards.

Under the suggested amendments to the Quality of Service (QoS) Business Rules, the NCC said:

For postpaid lines, operators must notify affected subscribers through an alternative line or email at least 14 days before the final churn date.

A similar requirement applies to prepaid lines, ensuring subscribers receive advance notice before their numbers are deactivated.

Currently, Section 2.3.1 of the QoS Business Rules allows lines to be deactivated after six months of inactivity, with a potential loss of the number after an additional six months, except in cases of network-related faults. While the proposed amendment does not change the six-month threshold, it mandates advance notice, adding a layer of consumer safeguard.

The consultation paper also outlines stricter reporting requirements. Section 2.3.2 stipulates that operators must submit details of all churned numbers to TIRMS within seven days of completion of the churn process.

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TIRMS, described as “a secure, regulatory-backed platform that helps prevent fraud stemming from churned, swapped, or barred mobile numbers in Nigeria,” is designed to provide a uniform, cross-sector approach for verifying mobile number integrity. The platform is expected to assist the Central Bank of Nigeria and other regulators in tackling fraud linked to recycled SIM cards and dormant lines.

The NCC is inviting stakeholders to submit comments as part of a 21-day consultation period, in line with Section 58 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003. All inputs must be submitted on or before March 20, 2026.

The document, dated February 26, 2026, was signed by the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Dr Aminu Maida.

If adopted, the proposed rules would formalize advance notification before SIM churn and deepen cross-sector data sharing, strengthening efforts to curb identity-related fraud in Nigeria’s telecom ecosystem.