AGS NEWS – The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a stern warning to telecommunication companies that fail to adhere to the directive mandating the blocking of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards not linked to National Identification Numbers (NINs).

Speaking to AGS NEWS, Reuben Mouka, the Director of Public Affairs at NCC, emphasized the necessity for telecom operators to comply with the regulatory directive. Failure to do so, he stated, would result in sanctions.

ALSO READ: NCC appeals to states to reduce telecom taxes, citing industry growth concerns

Mouka clarified, “It is not a matter of whether the telcos have initiated compliance or not. We have mandated the linking of SIM cards to NINs. We have issued directives, and we expect compliance. Any evidence of non-compliance will lead to sanctions.”

Regarding the commencement of these sanctions, Mouka explained that it requires a regulatory process and could not be specified.

However, he reiterated that any operator failing to comply would face sanctions.

The telecom regulator had previously instructed telcos to deactivate an estimated 12 million lines that had not been linked to owners’ NINs after the February 28, 2024, deadline.

In reaffirming its stance on the matter, the NCC dismissed the possibility of extending the deadline on Wednesday.

Telecom operators, including the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, affirmed their alignment with the regulator’s directive to disconnect SIMs not linked to NINs.

ALSO READ: MTN, Flour Mills, and others reduce NGX market cap by N67 billion

The directive, which commenced in December 2020, aimed to enhance security measures in the country by streamlining identification processes and improving accountability associated with specific phone lines.

By limiting the registration of a maximum of four SIMs to a single NIN, the government sought to facilitate easier identification of line owners, enabling effective monitoring and combating criminal activities such as kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism.