NCC orders telcos to reactivate all lines barred over NIN-SIM verification issues

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has ordered all telecommunication companies in the country to reactivate all lines they have barred over issues surrounding the linking and verification of National Identification Numbers (NIN) linked with their SIMs.

The sudden U-turn from the regulator, which had earlier given the telecom operators a July 31 deadline to bar all lines with unverified NINs, may not be unconnected with the planned protest and the claims that the government was trying to frustrate the protest through telecommunications.

Disgruntled MTN customers have flooded the company’s offices nationwide, voicing their frustration and disappointment over the recent blocking of their phone numbers by the telecom giant.

Choice Reporters recall that on Sunday, MTN deactivated the mobile lines of numerous users, reportedly due to their failure to connect their National Identification Numbers (NIN) with their phone numbers.

This action follows the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) directive to disconnect Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) numbers not linked to NINs, set to be enforced from July 31, 2024.

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