The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has proposed that telecom operators provide subscribers with a minimum of 14 days’ notice before deactivating SIM cards due to inactivity or post-paid churn.
The proposal is detailed in a consultation paper titled Stakeholders Consultation Process for the Telecoms Identity Risks Management Platform, dated February 26, 2026, and signed by NCC Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Dr Aminu Maida. The paper is available on the Commission’s website.
Under the proposed amendments to the Quality-of-Service (QoS) Business Rules, operators must notify affected subscribers in advance.
“Prior to churning of a post-paid line, the Operator shall send a notification to the affected subscriber through an alternative line or an email on the pending churning of his line,” the paper states. “This notification shall be sent at least 14 days before the final date for the churn of the number.”
The same requirement applies to prepaid subscribers, who must also be informed via an alternative line or email at least 14 days before their number is deactivated.
Currently, under Section 2.3.1 of the QoS Business Rules, a subscriber’s line may be deactivated if it has been inactive for six months, with a risk of losing the number entirely if inactivity continues for another six months, except in cases of proven network faults.
The proposed change forms part of a broader regulatory review linked to the rollout of the Telecoms Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS), aimed at curbing fraud associated with recycled, swapped, or barred mobile numbers.
According to NCC, TIRMS “will provide a uniform approach for all sectors in relation to the integrity and utilisation of registered MSISDNs on the Nigerian Communications network.”
In addition to the 14-day notice, operators would be required to submit details of all churned numbers to TIRMS within seven days of completing the churn process, enhancing regulatory oversight and accountability.
The consultation process, in line with Section 58 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, will remain open for 21 days from publication, with stakeholders expected to submit comments by March 20, 2026.
