The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecom operators to immediately reactivate phone lines that were disconnected over the weekend due to unverified National Identification Numbers (NINs) linked to Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs).
According to the NCC, the reactivation is for a limited period to allow consumers to properly link their NINs to their SIMs. The Commission noted that despite extensions, many phone lines remain unlinked, causing challenges for consumers.
“The consumer is our priority, and we have directed operators to reactivate lines to alleviate the challenges caused by the blockages,” said Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at NCC.
The NIN-SIM linkage policy aims to enhance national security, ensure accurate SIM ownership data, and provide a foundation for a robust digital economy.
Consumers are urged to verify their SIMs as soon as possible to maintain access to their lines. The NCC can be reached for further inquiries through their Public Affairs Department.
*”We encourage consumers to take advantage of this limited window to verify their SIMs and avoid future disruptions,”* Muoka added.