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 31 July 2024 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.
Millions of lines were barred by MTN, Airtel, Globacom, 9mobile, and other telecom operators over the weekend, throwing the affected subscribers into shock and disbelief as many of them claimed their lines had been linked with NIN long before now.
According to a statement issued on Monday afternoon by the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, the lines were blocked by the telecom service providers in keeping with the laws and policies of the NIN-SIM linkage.
The telecom regulator, however, said it was aware of the challenges caused by the weekend blockages and ordered the telecom operators to unblock all the lines.
While noting that the objectives of the NIN-SIM linkage exercise by the Federal Government of Nigeria are to enhance national security and ensure the national SIM ownership database is accurate, the Commission said it is giving the affected subscribers more time to properly link their SIMs.
“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 in view of the short time available for consumers to undertake the verification of their NINs with their SIMs.
“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.
It added that the NIN-SIM linkage policy aids in verifying and protecting users’ identities while also providing a critical infrastructure that assures access to the benefits of a robust digital economy for the citizenry.
A senior lawyer, Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa at the weekend alleged that telecommunication companies were plotting with Nigerian authorities to limit internet access as citizens prepare for nationwide protests over economic hardships.
“For the past few days, some telecom companies have been disconnecting their subscribers for flimsy and untenable reasons. Some allege lack of NIN registration or linking while some didn’t give any reason at all,” Mr Adegboruwa said on Sunday.
“This action is coming on the heels of the proposed struggle of the people against hunger, poverty, suffering and the suffocating economic policies of the Tinubu administration.”
In the statement, Mr Adegboruwa said moves by telcos to disconnect subscribers suggest plans to limit internet access to thwart August protests.
“From all indications, it would seem that the underlying target of the telecom companies is to limit the reach of their customers in order to restrict access and thus frustrate the protests,” Mr Adegboruwa said.
He urged the NCC “to look into this and come to the rescue of the subscribers.”
Eighteen-Eleven Media