MTN Nigeria has closed all its offices across the country following vandalism by customers affected by the NIN-SIM linkage policy. The policy, which mandates linking national identification numbers with SIM cards, led to widespread service disruptions and protests, prompting the temporary shutdown of MTN facilities.
MTN Nigeria has announced the closure of all its offices across the country starting from July 30. The decision comes in response to a series of vandalism incidents linked to the ongoing National Identification Number (NIN)-SIM linkage policy.
An MTN official confirmed the closures to TheCable on Tuesday, explaining that the company’s offices were targeted by disgruntled customers affected by the recent enforcement of the NIN-SIM linkage policy. This policy mandates that all SIM cards must be linked to national identification numbers, and failure to comply has resulted in service disruptions.
On July 27, numerous Nigerians reported that their phone lines were blocked, preventing them from making or receiving calls. The disruption followed the government's directive to enforce the policy, which had been in effect since December 2020. This directive intensified on July 31, 2024, after several deadlines were adjusted to allow more time for verification.
The situation escalated when customers in Lagos tore down a fence at an MTN office in Festac Town. Similar protests occurred at other telecom offices in Oyo, the Federal Capital Territory, and Kano. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has since ordered telecom operators to temporarily reconnect blocked lines while reviewing the policy's implementation.
MTN’s nationwide office closure highlights the tension surrounding the policy and the broader challenges facing Nigeria’s telecom sector amidst regulatory pressures.
