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    Telecom operators to disconnect unlinked SIM cards as NCC deadline expires

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    With the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) September 14, 2024, deadline now expired, telecommunications operators are set to start disconnecting mobile lines that remain unlinked to National Identification Numbers (NIN).

    In an August announcement, the NCC underscored that starting September 15, no Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) would stay active without a verified NIN. The commission encouraged subscribers who had not yet completed their NIN-SIM linkage, or who encountered verification issues due to discrepancies, to visit their service providers promptly before the deadline to avoid disconnection.

    According to NCC data from March 2024, there were 219 million active mobile lines across key networks such as MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile. Out of these, 153 million lines successfully linked to NINs, leaving approximately 66 million lines at risk of disconnection.

    A similar disruption occurred between July 28 and 29, when millions of lines were temporarily barred due to unverified NINs, causing widespread inconvenience nationwide.

    Although the NCC reversed this decision to allow subscribers more time to comply, the final deadline has now passed, and disconnections will commence as planned.

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    No Further Extensions, NCC Confirms

    The NCC has firmly stated that no further extensions will be granted. A source from the commission told Vanguard, “The deadline was on September 14, and that time has come and gone. We are not extending anything. Anyone whose line is cut off now should be prepared to face the consequences. The government has provided ample grace.”

    The source added that individuals who have not linked their SIMs to a NIN should prepare for disconnection. Since December 2023, the NCC has extended the deadline multiple times, with an initial cut-off date for disconnecting lines with four or fewer unlinked SIM cards set for April 15, 2024.

    ATCIS Supports Compliance Efforts

    In response to this development, Mr. Sina Bilesanmi, the National President of the Association of Telephone, Cable TV, and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS), expressed support for the policy and urged Nigerians to comply. He stated, “We must respect the law of the land. I commend the government for its patience. The deadline has been extended several times, and now it is time for action.”

    Bilesanmi acknowledged the government’s consideration in granting multiple extensions but stressed the importance of enforcing the policy to fulfill its intended objectives. He also advised that if any grace period is considered for unlinked lines, it should specifically target those facing genuine challenges, such as the elderly.

    With the deadline now passed, telecom subscribers who have yet to link their SIMs to their NINs should be prepared for immediate disconnection. The NCC and telecom operators are committed to implementing this policy to ensure compliance, and no further extensions will be extended. The government remains steadfast in its commitment to the full execution of the NIN-SIM linkage policy, vital for national security and effective digital governance.

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