NCC Orders Telcos To Bar Subscribers Not Linked To NIN

On or before February 28, 2024, telecom service providers are required by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to prohibit subscribers who have not linked their phone numbers to their National Identification Numbers (NINs).

Telecom customers must link their NIN to their SIM cards as a matter of critical national security, according to a directive given by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Aminu Maida, through the Director of Public Affairs, Ruben Mouka, at the 45th Kaduna International Trade Fair on Wednesday.

He maintained that consumers who have not linked their NIN to SIM cards will still be blocked by telecom carriers as of February 28.

The National Communication Commission has ordered all telecom providers to block phone lines of subscribers whose lines are not linked to their NINs on or before February 28, 2024,” he added.
The NCC boss also disclosed that as of 2023, the telecoms industry’s contribution to the nation’s GDP stood at 13.5%..
While emphasising that the commission has established a generally accepted environment for access to "affordable and equitable service and supports the nation's economic growth," Maida claims that NCC is dedicated to upholding consumer rights and guaranteeing their satisfaction.

"The Commission performs its functions as a regulator of the nation's telecommunications sector to ensure service availability, affordability, and sustainability for all categories of consumers, who are leveraging on ICT/Telecoms to drive personal and business activities," the statement read.

In an effort to protect the interests of both businesses and consumers, the head of the NCC urged telecom companies to put customer pleasure first and maintain the highest standards of service delivery.
According to him, one of these actions was the NCC's May 17, 2023, orders to all licenced Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to start using authorised Harmonised Short Codes (HSC) in order to offer services to Nigerian telecom customers.

"The new initiative is making it possible for customers to access services across all networks using the same codes on Nigeria's over 224 million active mobile phone lines," he continued.