As a result of failing National Identity Number (NIN) linkage, an estimated 30 million phone lines in Nigeria are at risk of being disconnected, according to Gbenga Adebayo, the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON). the situation has been developing since telecom operators started implementing a phased disconnection of phone lines that were unsuccessfully paired with NINs in February 2024, in accordance with guidelines from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Telecom companies’ most recent activities suggest that many consumers still experience difficulties with their NIN-SIM link, even after the deadline was extended from the original April 15, 2024, to July 31.
This problem worsened last weekend, with millions of lines shut ahead of the deadline of July 31, 2024, despite a small respite. Widespread service interruptions were caused by this trend, impacting not only personal phone lines but also those utilized in vital gadgets including Point of Sale (PoS) machines, WiFi devices, MiFi units, and auto trackers. Although the exact number of impacted lines across all networks is still unknown, Airtel said in its quarterly results on Friday that 4.9 million of its customers’ NINs had not yet been validated, putting their lines at risk of being disconnected.
NCC and NIMC are actively attempting to expedite the procedure.
The NCC instructed all operators to reinstate lines that were severed over the weekend in response to the difficulties brought on by the SIM blocks. This gave customers a brief window of time to correctly link their NIN to their SIM. Adebayo highlighted the necessity for accurate information to create a trustworthy national database, attributing the disarray to differences in records between telecom carriers and the National Identity Management Commission. In order to prevent further issues, he encouraged people to register with accurate and consistent information.
Adebayo reiterated the industry’s commitment to delivering services without discrimination and gave assurance that the interests of the consumer continue to be the first priority. The Nigerian Communications Commission and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) are actively attempting to expedite the NIN-SIM linkage procedure. Through this partnership, subscribers will benefit from a smooth registration and activation process as they will be able to quickly verify and authenticate their National Identity Numbers, thereby guaranteeing a flawless experience for subscribers.
Number of active subscribers dropped to 218 million.
MTN Nigeria revealed that as of February 28, 2024, 4.2 million lines had been disconnected from its network. Due to the telcos’ exclusion of SIMs unaffiliated with NIN, the number of active subscribers on the four mobile networks—MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile—dropped by more than 6 million to 218 million in January. The agencies are initiating educational campaigns and training sessions, coordinating policies and regulatory frameworks to better integrate the linkage processes within the telecoms ecosystem, and encouraging compliance.
Since December 2023, the NCC has ordered all telecom providers to implement complete network blocking of any SIMs that have not submitted their National Identity Numbers (NIN). This directive is a component of the continuing NIN-SIM linkage effort by the Federal Government, which mandates that all customers update SIM registration records with authentic NIN data. The initiative’s goals are to simplify identity verification for electronic transactions, lower fraud, and improve security. Despite the high unverified counts, the number of verified numbers is still high.
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Report by the NIMC shows that over 100 million SIM cards had been linked to NINs as of the middle of 2023, showing significant advancements in the integration of the identity management and telecommunications systems. Despite obstacles to the scheme, such as public backlash and logistical problems, the government is un-relentlessly pushing for complete compliance. The ultimate target is to connect every SIM card that is now in use in the nation, building a vast database that may be utilized for social welfare, financial services, and security, among other things.