NCC Takes Action: Over 42 Million Inactive Phone Lines Set To Be Blocked, Telecom Giants Warned

NCC Takes Action: Over 42 Million Inactive Phone Lines Set To Be Blocked, Telecom Giants Warned

Government Mandate to Link SIMs with NIN Database Spurs Stringent Measures Against Unlinked Lines

In a decisive move aimed at enhancing national security and regulatory compliance, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced plans to block over 42 million inactive mobile phone numbers, effective February 28, 2024. This proactive measure comes amidst ongoing efforts to address the persistent challenge of unlinked Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards within the National Identification Numbers (NIN) database.

The decision to enforce the integration policy, initially introduced by the Federal Government in December 2020, underscores the government’s commitment to curbing insecurity and criminal activities, particularly in light of the alarming rise in incidents such as kidnapping across the country.

Despite previous deadline extensions and appeals from stakeholders, including telecommunication firms, the NCC has reaffirmed its resolve to implement the policy rigorously. Following a directive issued to mobile network operators in December 2023, the Commission is poised to execute the full-scale enforcement of the SIM-NIN linkage.

According to sources within the NCC, a staggering 45 million lines in Nigeria remain unlinked with NINs, prompting the imminent action. Among these, approximately 42 million lines have exhibited complete inactivity, failing to make calls, engage in data sessions, or send SMS messages for over a year.

While acknowledging the impact of the impending blockage on a significant portion of the telecommunications network, NCC sources emphasized that only around 3 million active lines will be affected. These measures, they assert, are essential to compel users to comply with the linkage requirement or forfeit their unused lines altogether.

As the deadline looms, telecom operators and subscribers alike are urged to expedite the process of linking SIM cards with NINs to avoid disruption of services and ensure regulatory adherence. With national security at the forefront, the NCC remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering a secure and compliant telecommunications environment for all Nigerians.