The Mobile Telephone Network (MTN) and Airtel Nigeria have given the reasons they barred some of their subscribers from making calls, as they apologised for the restrictions.
This was confirmed by the statements the telcos issued via their Twitter handles on Tuesday.
According to the companies, the restrictions were implemented due to the directive of the Federal Government, asking telcos to bar SIMs that are not linked to NIN from outgoing calls.
What MTN is saying about barred calls
It stated, “Y’ello. We apologize for any inconvenience caused you. The communication to implement restrictions on outgoing calls for customers who have not linked their National Identification Number (NIN) to their SIM is a directive from the Federal Government.”
What Airtel is saying
It stated, “Hello, please note that the NCC has directed all MNOs to bar lines not yet linked to NIN.”
Back story
- The Nigerian Communication Commission had stated that blocking of the registered SIM cards should take effect from April 4, 2022, according to Nairametrics.
- According to the statement, President Buhari had graciously approved the many requests to extend deadlines for the NIN-SIM linkage. At this point, however, the government has determined that the NIN-SIM Policy implementation can proceed.
- The statement read in part, “It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, gave the directive for the implementation and commencement of the exercise in December 2020, as part of the administration’s security and social policies. The deadlines for the NIN-SIM linkage have been extended on multiple occasions to allow Nigerians to freely comply with the Policy. The FG also took into consideration the passionate appeals by several bodies – Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Civil Societies, Professional Bodies and a host of others for the extension of the deadlines in the past.
- “Accordingly, Mr President graciously approved the many requests to extend deadlines for the NIN-SIM linkage. At this point, however, Government has determined that the NIN-SIM Policy implementation can proceed, as machinery has already been put in place to ensure compliance by citizens and legal residents. The implementation impacts the Government’s strategic planning, particularly in the areas of security and socio-economic projections.
- “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the implementation of the Policy with effect from the 4th of April, 2022. Consequently, the Federal Government has directed all Telcos to strictly enforce the Policy on all SIMs issued (existing and new) in Nigeria. Outgoing calls will subsequently be barred for telephone lines that have not complied with the NIN-SIM linkage Policy from the 4th of April, 2022. Subscribers of such lines are hereby advised to link their SIMs to their NINs before the Telcos can lift the restriction on their lines. Affected individuals are hereby advised to register for their NINs at designated centres and thereafter link the NINs to their SIMs through the channels provided by NIMC and the Telcos, including the NIMC mobile App.”
This is a good attempt
To me I think the government tried because they warned the citizen enough
This isn’t the right time for this nonsense from this useless government. What good has this administrative done to the citizens? Bandit are attacking, Boko Haram are killing the country economy is diminishing and they could think about is barring lines.
UKASHATU NASIRU
All this nonsense have to stop in this country, people are losing their important contacts. Before doing something consider the feelings of others many of you don’t know what you are called for.
All this nonsense have to stop in this country, people are losing their important contacts. Before doing something consider the feelings of others many of you don’t know what you are called for.
Why would you do me like that
My view is that it is very good security wise, let our security operatives rise up to the challenges
Please they should extend it to December at least the citizens have seen how serious they are. Or even some months thanks.
What is the essence of NIN, with all the information that has been provided while registering the Sim card. They don’t bother again to do necessity about the inflation and the economy explosion we’re encounter in this country. Fuck FG🖕🏻 with their plan on NIN.
why are they beating us and also stoping us from crying?
our problem now is the government should fight this bandits.
thanks
Cai all this mobile telephone network una wicked 😭😭
After linking my NIN my sim was still blocked. MTN why…⁉️
I really don’t understand this rubbish what about those that are writing jamb this year,well in as far as I can receive call, massages and all that no problem I will use my other line to be making calls atleast it has nin link to it ..if u can stop all sim it will be better u will loose not me.u save me from buying up to 1500 naria card every week
What the FG did was Right✔, because they have tried 👏with the time interval given.
But I want to plead🙏 with the FG to add like 72 hours ⌚, since everyone now knows that it’s a serious matter.
Nigeria is a country with a brainless and senseless governmental systerm.pls.I would or wil advice nigerians to evacuate dis country 4 other country for a beter future,even it’s president(buhari)is not and never a normal human being,that brainles goon.