By Abdulfatah Babatunde
The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has directed telecom operators to reactivate all GSM lines, recently disconnected because of NIN-SIM verification issues.
TheNewsZenith recalls that over the weekend, many telecom subscribers could not access their phone lines.
This is because of their inability to verify their National Identification Numbers (NINs) with their Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs).
This meant that their telecom service providers blocked their numbers in keeping with the laws and policies of NIN-SIM linkage.
Reuben Muoka, NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, in a statement, emailed to TheNewsZenith, said the directive became imperative, given the short time available for consumers to undertake the verification.
“The consumer is our priority. Considering the challenges the blockages have caused, the Commission has directed operators to reactivate all lines they disconnected over the weekend.
“This is because of the short time available for consumers to undertake the verification.
“Reactivated consumers are to note that this is for a limited period. It is to allow them to link NIN to their SIM,” Muoka stated.
Telecom consumers and the public will recall the compulsory linkage of NIN with SIM, which began in December 2020.
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That was when the government directed telecommunication companies to bar unregistered and/or SIM cards that were not linked to NIN.
“Since December 2023, the Commission has reviewed the deadline a few times.
“NCC earlier set April 15 as the deadline for the full network barring. The barring is for subscribers with four or fewer SIMs that have unverified NIN details.
“This deadline was then reviewed to July 31, to give consumers more time to ensure their submitted NIN details are properly verified,” the statement read in part.
Despite these extensions, many consumers are yet to link their lines with verified NINs.
NCC said the objectives of the exercise include enhancing national security and ensuring that the national SIM ownership database is accurate.
The NIN-SIM linkage policy aids in verifying and protecting users’ identities.
It also helps in providing a critical infrastructure that assures access to the benefits of a robust digital economy for the citizenry.
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