NIN-SIM Verification: Telcos Reactivate Blocked Phone Lines

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday, ordered telecom operators to reactivate lines affected by the linking of the National Identification Numbers (NINs) with their Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) (NIN-SIM) verification issues.LEADERSHIP checks reveal that at least 20 million subscribers to the MTN Nigeria network were disconnected. 

Prior to the NCC announcement, Nigerians in their thousands had besieged the offices of the telecommunications service providers to express anger and frustration over the mass deactivation of their mobile lines following their alleged inability to link their National Identity Numbers (NINs) with their Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) as demanded by the law.

In a press statement, made available to LEADERSHIP, and signed by the director, Public Affairs, NCC, Reuben Muoka, the Commission said consumer is its priority, while directing 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

The press statement partly reads: “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.”

The Commission therefore tasked members of the public who are yet to verify their SIMs to do so as soon as possible to maintain access to their lines