Just in: NCC orders reactivation of barred SIMs amid planned protests

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed all telecommunication companies to immediately reactivate lines that were previously barred due to issues related to the linking and verification of National Identification Numbers (NIN) with SIMs.

This reversal from the regulator comes after a July 31 deadline was set for telecom operators to bar lines with unverified NINs.

The sudden change in policy may be linked to concerns that the government was attempting to hinder a planned nationwide protest through telecommunications restrictions.

The move has been interpreted by some as a response to allegations that the barring of lines was intended to disrupt the protest, which is scheduled to commence soon.

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Telecommunications operators on Sunday blocked millions of lines from making and receiving calls as part of an intensified effort to link subscribers’ National Identification Numbers (NIN) with all active SIMs.

This move comes as telcos race to meet the July 31, 2024, deadline set by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to bar all subscribers whose NINs have not been verified.

Despite extending the initial deadline from April 15, 2024, to July 31, the latest actions by MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile indicate that many subscribers still face irregularities with their NIN-SIM links.

Previously, telcos disconnected millions of lines not linked with SIMs. The current phase requires operators to verify all submitted NINs, ensuring that the owners’ details match those in the SIM registration database.