On or before February 28, 2024, telecom service providers are required by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to prohibit subscribers who have not linked their phone numbers to their National Identification Numbers (NINs).
At the 45th Kaduna International Trade Fair on Wednesday, Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, issued a directive through Ruben Mouka, the Director of Public Affairs, demanding that telecom users link their NIN to their SIM cards as a matter of critical national security.
He maintained that the deadline of February 28th, which was set by telecom carriers, should not be extended to consumers who have not linked their NIN to SIM cards.
“To this end, the National Communication Commission has directed all telecommunication operators to bar phone lines of subscribers whose lines are not linked to their NINs on or before February 28, 2024,” he added.
The head of the NCC also revealed that the telecom sector contributed 13.5% of the country’s GDP in 2023.
According to Maida, the NCC has established a generally recognized framework for access to “affordable and equitable service and supports the nation’s economic growth,” and it is dedicated to upholding the rights of customers while also guaranteeing their satisfaction.
“As a regulator of the telecommunications sector in the country, the Commission carries out its functions to ensure service availability, affordability, and sustainability for all categories of consumers, who are leveraging on ICT/Telecoms to drive personal and business activities,” he said.
The head of the NCC urged telecom companies to put customer pleasure first and maintain the highest standards of service delivery, pointing out that the commission has taken steps to protect the interests of both businesses and consumers.
He mentioned the NCC’s May 17, 2023, orders to all licensed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) directing them to start using approved Harmonized Short Codes (HSC) in order to offer services to Nigerian telecom customers, as one of these measures.
This is coming just days after a Federal High Court in Lagos prohibited Telcos from deactivating or blocking any line or SIM card whose owner has not linked it to the National Identity Number (NIN).