During a press briefing on Tuesday, Feb. 6, NCC's Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Aminu Maida, underscored the urgency of the directive. "By the end of this month, SIMs without NIN will no longer work," Mr. Maida emphasized, highlighting the impending consequences for non-compliant mobile users.
The mandatory linkage initiative was initiated in December 2020, following government directives to telecommunication companies to block calls from unregistered and unlinked NINs. The aim? To enhance security measures and curb activities of bandits and terrorists, who perpetrate crimes such as kidnappings and killings.
Despite extended deadlines and awareness campaigns, a significant number of phone lines remain unlinked, posing challenges in the effective implementation of the policy. Mr. Maida acknowledged these hurdles, citing issues with pre-registered or illegally registered SIM cards that have plagued the industry.
"In 2021, there was a policy to link NIN with SIMs, thinking that such would address the problem, but stakeholders in the value chain identified loopholes," Mr. Maida explained, shedding light on the complexities involved in ensuring compliance across the board.
Moving forward, the NCC intends to adopt a data-driven approach in decision-making, aiming to minimize subjectivity and optimize industry standards. Mr. Maida emphasized the commission's commitment to holding telecom service providers accountable for service delivery, emphasizing the paramount importance of consumer satisfaction.
"We need to put smiles back on the faces of consumers. NCC is clear on this; we need to protect the interests of consumers," Mr. Maida affirmed, reiterating the commission's dedication to balancing consumer rights with licensee obligations.
Furthermore, the commission will prioritize engagement with key stakeholders, including consumers, government entities, and industry players, to foster collaboration and address emerging challenges.
As the deadline looms, mobile users are urged to expedite the process of linking their SIM cards to NIN to avoid disruption of services. With national security and consumer interests at the forefront, the NCC remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria's telecommunications landscape
