Over the weekend, telecommunication operators in Nigeria took action, barring a staggering 40 million telephone lines. This move came after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) set a deadline of February 28, 2024, for telecom consumers to link their Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) to their National Identity Numbers (NIN).

Initially, the NCC directive aimed to deactivate 12 million lines, but the actual number exceeded expectations. The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria revealed that the increase was due to SIMs not linked to NINs.

In an exclusive interview with The Media Talk Africa, the ALTON chair explained that the blocked lines belonged to individuals who had not submitted their NIN at all, highlighting the importance of registration and participation in the harmonization program.

The NCC had also instructed Global Satellite Mobile Communications operators to take action against SIM holders whose NINs were submitted but not verified. This initiative, introduced by the Federal Government in 2020, aimed to enhance security measures by enabling the tracking of criminals through SIM-NIN synchronization.

Despite the implementation of the SIM-NIN linkage, questions have been raised regarding its effectiveness in tracking criminals, particularly bandits and kidnappers who utilize mobile telephone lines during ransom negotiations.

With 224.7 million active mobile telephone lines in Nigeria, the NCC’s efforts to ensure proper subscriber identification are crucial. The ALTON chairman hinted at further disconnections for subscribers with discrepancies in their registration information, emphasizing the need for verification.

In response to the deadline, the President of the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers expressed concerns over the plight of customers and urged the NCC to consider extending the deadline to March 31st. If not granted, legal action may be pursued to address the situation.

As the telecommunications industry in Nigeria navigates through these changes, the focus remains on ensuring compliance with regulations and enhancing security measures for all subscribers.