Gbenga Adebayo, president of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), has revealed that over 30 million SIM cards have not been properly linked to a National Identification Number (NIN). These SIM cards are primarily used in car trackers, MiFi units, WiFi devices, and Point of Sale (PoS) machines. Adebayo made this disclosure during an interview with News Central, addressing the recent issues caused by the unblocking of lines not connected to their NINs.
“The numbers are staggering,” Adebayo stated. “We are looking at potentially over 30 million SIM cards, including those in various digital devices, that have not been properly linked to the NIN. Many of these SIMs are in car trackers, POS machines, MiFis, WiFis, and many other devices that use SIMs to operate.”
Over the past weekend, telecom operators began barring phone lines not linked with NINs ahead of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)’s July 31, 2024 deadline. Since February 2024, telcos have been implementing a phased disconnection of lines to comply with an NCC directive. By the end of 2023, the regulator instructed telcos to disconnect unlinked lines in three phases, concluding on July 31, 2024. Earlier disconnections have already impacted about 50 million lines. As of March 2024, Nigeria had 219.01 million connected lines.
Some subscribers affected by the recent disconnections claimed that their SIMs and NIN had been linked. According to Adebayo, these subscribers were disconnected due to discrepancies between telecom operators’ records and those of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
“There are instances where individuals provided their NINs, but the information did not match our records,” Adebayo noted. “These discrepancies must be resolved at service centers to ensure proper verification.”
Despite the disconnections coinciding with nationwide protests, Adebayo emphasized that there was no connection between the two events.
“Unfortunately, the disconnection coincided with the planned protests, but it had nothing to do with stifling communication,” he said. “We are guided by our social contract with subscribers and provide services on a non-discriminatory basis.”
Adebayo also highlighted the importance of accurate data for building a reliable national database. He urged individuals to provide truthful and consistent information during registration to avoid future complications.
“To have a reliable and equipped national database, all of us must contribute accurate information,” Adebayo urged. “This database can only be as reliable as the information provided by the public.”
In response to the public outcry over the disconnections, the NCC extended its deadline to a yet-to-be-set date.
“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… 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 stated.
In compliance with the NCC’s directive, 13.5 million MTN Nigeria and Airtel Africa lines remained barred in the first half of 2024. These lines were among those affected by the first two phases of disconnections, as reported in the telcos’ financial statements for the period ending June 30, 2024.
