Telecommunications companies (Telcos) in Nigeria are set to initiate another round of SIM card disconnections on Friday, March 29, 2024, following the first round which saw 42 million Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards disabled. This information was disclosed by Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), and spokesperson for Telcos, shortly after the February 28 disconnection exercise.
According to Adebayo, the next phase of disconnections will commence on March 29, with another phase scheduled for April 15, 2024, as directed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms industry regulator.
The ongoing disconnection exercise, which began on February 28, 2024, is part of the federal government’s efforts to curb the activities of bandits, kidnappers, and other criminals who disrupt the country’s security atmosphere. The exercise is designed to ensure that all SIM cards are linked to their respective National Identification Numbers (NIN) to enhance security measures.
A reliable source within the NCC confirmed the upcoming rounds of disconnection, stating that the next phase will be extensive due to the large number of subscribers who have yet to link their SIM cards to their NINs. The source also highlighted that the exercise aims to address anomalies in the NIN enrolment and NIN-SIM linkage processes.
Investigations into the exercise have revealed significant duplications of SIM cards and NINs attributed to individual subscribers, indicating the need for stricter enforcement measures to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
As Telcos prepare for the upcoming disconnection exercise, subscribers are urged to promptly link their SIM cards to their NINs to avoid disruption of services. The government remains committed to enhancing national security through effective regulation of the telecommunications sector.
