All phone lines with no National Identification Number must be deactivated on or before February 28, 2024, the Nigerian Communications Commission has told all mobile telecommunications firms in Nigeria.
This directive is a follow up of NCC previous instructions requiring mobile telecoms to restrict subscribers without NIN to outgoing calls, which has been in force since April 2022.
“This is part of an industry-wide directive that requires phone lines for which the subscribers have not submitted their NINs to be barred on or before 28 February 2024. With regard to NINs that have been submitted but not verified, such lines are to be barred on or before 29 March 2024, where five or more lines are linked to an unverified NIN.
“Similarly, where less than five lines are linked to an unverified NIN, such lines are to be barred on or before 15 April 2024. All affected subscribers must be verified (biometrics and biodata) before their lines are unbarred,” said a statement signed by MTN Nigeria secretary Uto Ukpanah
“As part of these efforts, we are enhancing the capacity of our various service outlets to make the process smoother and more efficient. We are committed to ensuring that our subscribers comply with the NCC directive and will continue to work with the National Identity Management Commission to accelerate the NIN verification process.”
