The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecommunications operators to commence disconnection of mobile telephone lines that are not linked to National Identification Numbers (NIN).
This move comes after the expiration of the September 14 deadline set by the NCC. As of March 2024, data from the NCC showed 219 million active lines across mobile networks, with 153 million already linked to NIN, leaving approximately 66 million unlinked lines at risk of disconnection.
The NCC had encouraged subscribers who were yet to complete their NIN-SIM linkage or have faced issues due to verification mismatches to visit their service providers promptly to update their details before the deadline.
However, with the deadline now expired, disconnections will commence.
Speaking to newsmen, an NCC official dismissed any possibility of an extension, stating, “We will disconnect anyone who refuses to comply; the grace period is over.”
The official clarified that the commission has no intention of deliberately disconnecting subscribers, but emphasized that a significant number of Nigerians have opted not to link their SIMs to their NIN for various reasons.
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The President of the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers, Adeolu Ogungbanjo, described the situation as “terrible” and pleaded that the NCC should consider extending the deadline due to the technical issues that marred the process of registration. However, the NCC remains adamant that there will be no further extensions.
This development comes as subscribers expressed frustration over the challenges they face in uploading their details on the National Identity Management Commission portal.
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The compulsory linkage of NIN with SIM cards began in December 2020, and multiple deadline extensions have been granted since then.
The NCC and NIMC have strengthened their partnership to streamline the NIN-SIM linkage process, but it remains to be seen how many subscribers will be disconnected.
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