It is no longer news that the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) instructed all network providers to block all SIMs without National Identification Numbers (NIN) in two weeks.
But many Nigerians do not know the plans of the regulator to ensure that network providers like MTN, Airtel, Glo and others comply with its instruction.
READ: NIMC releases guidelines for mandatory national identification number
In a statement issued by Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director, Public Affairs, NCC, and seen by Nairametrics, the apex regulator and other sister agencies said they were implementing a framework to ensure compliance.
READ: SEC issues pre-notice on cancellation of certificates of 157 inactive CMOs
Highlights of decisions taken for immediate implementation:
- Affirmation of the earlier directive to totally suspend registration of NEW SIMs by all operators.
- ​Operators to require ALL their subscribers to provide valid National Identification Number (NIN) to update SIM registration records.
- The submission of NIN by subscribers to take place within two weeks (from today December 16, 2020 and end by 30 December, 2020).
- After the deadline, ALL SIMs without NINs are to be blocked from the networks.
- A Ministerial Task Force comprising the Minister and all the CEOs (among others) as members is to monitor compliance by all networks.
- ​Violations of this directive will be met by stiff sanctions, including the possibility of withdrawal of operating license.
READ: New SIM policy limits Nigerians to three SIM cards
It stated, “The general public is hereby urged to ensure that their NINs are captured in their SIM registration data.
All inconveniences which might be occasioned by this directive are deeply regretted.”
READ: Bitcoin robbers transfer part of Bitcoin loot worth $1.4 billion
What you should know
Nairametrics had reported on Tuesday that NCC gave telecommunications operators (MTN, Glo, Airtel, 9Mobile and others) in the country two weeks to block all SIM cards that are not registered with National Identity Numbers (NIN).
READ: Telecoms operators fined N74 million for violating regulations
Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, in a statement issued on Tuesday and seen by Nairametrics, explained that the decision is to consolidate the achievements of last year’s SIM registration audit and improve the performance and sanity of the sector.
READ: BankTech War: Segun Agbaje says GTBank not afraid of Fintech
He stated, “Following the earlier directive on the suspension of new SIM registration by network operators, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) convened an urgent meeting of key stakeholders in the Communications industry on Monday, December 14, 2020.
READ: Buhari approves transfer of NIMC to Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy
“The meeting had in attendance the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Management of NCC, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), as well as the CEOs and Management staff of all service providers in the industry.”
Why must we address national issues with fire brigade tactics? 2 weeks to submit NIN in a country of over 150 million and half illiterate? Our leaders just show themselves as insensitive & detached from the Nigerian reality.
How many Nigerians are even aware of anything called NIN, aside from Lagos, Abuja and a few other major city Residence who might have applies for it because of international passport?
Hope this don’t lead to another #Endears like protest.
Disconnecting someone’s phone within 2 weeks, where most people are totally dependent on their phones might be too much to bear, especially during this season.
I would expect a minimum of 6 months notice and a better distributed registration centers.
Go for NIN by 6am, you will be lucky to get anything less than 100 in that days list, except you are ready to bribe with 5-10k.
Very disconnected people.
Pls get us like 3month because nigeria pollution is 206 million nigeria nd stop asking for out bvn number for nin
Ijust wish that the regulators will not be expected to come enmass to their various offices within this 2 weeks in view of Covid 19 2nd surge.
I will suggest that from their records, they should text their customers who have not done theirs to send it to them via text also and those who have done theirs before should also be informed.
This way, customers will not need to come the various offices of the service providers. Thanks.
Rev. Dr. John Akintoye.
I believe it can still be done with phone .
Must one have to go to glo or mtn office ?
It is only in Nigeria that someone has to register a sim. Nigerian government officials are power drunk. Instead of improving the network they are asking for privacy details. They will soon be mining the database for the number of our wives and girlfriends. Block heads with last century ideas.
You’ve said it all.
This NIN wouldn’t still be enough, the insecurity they say that bio sim registration couldn’t solve? What’s the difference between Sim registration data and the NIN data?
Everyday problem, which country is this,am just tried of this country called Nigeria
What of we that have up to 5 sim like this? This country na joke aswear
What about those that don’t have National identifcation Number? Honestly I don’t understand this
Like me here I don’t have and I have being wanted to have but if u go to the Nin office na headache and still they want some bribe
What about those that don’t have National Identification number? Honestly I don’t understand this
I wish you people can assist me with some credits
What does nin has to do with my bank account been block