SIM-NIN Linkage: NCC Rules Out Extension, Telcos Bar 12 Million Lines

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has ruled out an extension of the February 28, 2024 deadline for the linkage of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards to National Identification Numbers (NIN).

As a result, telecommunication companies have been directed to bar some 12 million lines which have not been linked to the owners’ NINs after the expiration of the deadline.

The Director of Public Affairs, NCC, Reuben Mouka, confirmed the development to newsmen on Wednesday.

Reaffirming the NCC’s stance, Mouka stated, “We already issued a public notice in this regard and all the information. If there was an extension, NCC would have communicated that. But as far as I know, there is no extension.”

“In a December 2023 notice, the NCC had asked telcos to bar SIMs that had not been linked to their owners’ NINs by February 28, 2024.

It further asked the Global Satellite Mobile Communications firms to bar those whose NINs have been submitted but not verified by March 29, 2024; and interdict those who have less than five lines linked to an unverified NIN by April 15, 2024.

The Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, confirmed to newsmen that telecom operators would comply with the NCC’s directive.

He said out of the 224 million active lines on the networks of operators, about 12m lines risked deactivation.

The ALTON chairman also dismissed speculations about a possible extension, stating that the deadline ought to have happened last year.