NCC explains why telcos bar subscribers’ SIM cards despite linkage to NINs

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has clarified that duplication of National Identification Numbers (NINs) is responsible for the new wave of telecoms consumers’ complaints,  who have had their SIMs barred despite linking them to their NINs.

Recalls that there have been waves of complaints by consumers that their lines were barred by telecom firms despite being linked to NINs as directed.

Reacting, NCC at a recent media briefing in Lagos, noted that the disturbing development being experienced by lots of telecoms subscribers usually results from the activity of “third-party agents” who duplicate NINs for unsuspecting subscribers in the national identity ecosystem.

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Mr. Efosa Idehen, Director of Compliance at NCC, explained: “On the issue of already registered SIMs and NINs, the issue is that some of those SIMs were registered with duplicated NINs. When an audit of the system is carried out, actual owners of the NINs reclaim them.”

Idehen also stated: “We have a lot of things that people do within the industry, especially SIM-NIN linkage for money purposes. Yes, people register their SIMs and try to link their NINs but the agents doing those registrations do a lot of damage.

“We are seeing this and want to correct it. We want a situation where when people say they are the owners of their SIMs, there is no doubt.”