Telecom operators in Nigeria are set to embark on another round of SIM disconnections over National Identification Number (NIN).
Also read; NIN: How to modify your name, date of birth, phone number, others online – NIMC
The disconnection will affect subscribers who do not have proper linkage of their National Identification Number (NIN) to their Subscriber Identity Module, SIM numbers.
This round of SIM disconnections which will happen on Friday, 29th March 2024.
The disconnection is in adherence to the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC’s directive. NIMC directed that all registered SIMs that are not properly linked with the NIN should be barred until corrected or subsequently disconnected from the network entirely.
The NCC disconnection directive is in phases. While the first phase happened February 28, 2024, the second phase is due March 29, 2024. Vanguard reported that the third phase may also happen sometime in April, 2024.
The second phase of disconnection will affect subscribers who have five SIMs and above from one operator, who are also found to have unverified NIN-SIM linkages. The third phase will bar subscribers with four SIMs and below, whose NINs are unverified.
In the first phase, some 40 million lines were barred. They contained about 17 million SIMs, which were active for three months, but failed to submit NINs. The other 23 million SIMs, were those that were not active in the last one year and without NINs.
The SIM disconnect exercise is an ongoing process which the federal government. It is designed to checkmate activities of bandits, kidnappers and other criminals who breach the country’s peaceful security atmosphere with their activities.
Nnamdi Maduakor is a Writer, Investor and Entrepreneur
