Telecom companies in Nigeria have issued a strict warning to subscribers who have not linked their Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards with their National Identity Numbers (NIN).
The umbrella body of telcos, the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), confirmed its commitment to comply with the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) directive to delist telephone lines without NINs.
In response to the NCC directive, ALTON stated, “We, refer to the NCC directive dated 15 December 2023 communicated to our members to implement full network barring on all MSISDNs for which the subscribers have not submitted their national identity numbers (NINs) and those without verified NINs.”
The NCC has set the following deadlines for compliance:
– All MSISDNs without submitted NINs are to be barred on or before 28 February 2024.
– MSISDNs linked to an unverified NIN (five or more) are to be barred on or before 29 March 2024.
– MSISDNs linked to an unverified NIN (less than 5) are to be barred on or before 15 April 2024.
ALTON emphasized that all affected subscribers must undergo verification (biometrics and biodata) before their lines are unbarred.
The association acknowledged the importance of the NIN for a reliable National Identity Management System, economic inclusion, access to government services, and addressing security concerns.
The statement concluded with an appeal to subscribers: “We, therefore, wish to appeal to esteemed subscribers to kindly enrol for NINs or submit their NINs through the appropriate channel advertised by members to avoid full suspension of services by the set deadlines.”
