NCC orders telcos to reactivate barred SIM cards amid consumers’ protests

Joy Agwunobi

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a directive to all telecommunication companies in the country, ordering them to immediately reactivate all SIM lines previously barred due to issues related to the linking and verification of National Identification Numbers (NIN) with SIMs. 

Prior to this, the NCC had set a July 31 deadline for telecom operators to bar all lines with unverified NINs. However, there are speculations the recent reversal has been influenced by growing concerns and rumours linking the SIM barring to the planned nationwide protest scheduled to start on August 1.

The statement released by the NCC read in part: “The consumer is our priority. Therefore, considering the challenges the blockages have caused, the Commission has directed all operators to reactivate all lines that were disconnected over the weekend in view of the short time available for consumers to undertake the verification of their NINs with their SIMs. Reactivated consumers are to note that this is for a limited period to allow them to properly link their NIN to their SIM.

Members of the public who are yet to verify their SIMs are encouraged to do so as soon as possible to maintain access to their lines.”