NCC Directs Telcos to Block Phone Numbers Without NIN from March 1

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Any subscriber who fails to link his or her National Identification Number (NIN) to their phone numbers must be barred from making calls or using any GSM service from March 1, 2024, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has ordered telecommunication companies operating the in country.

One of the operators, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, confirmed this development in a regulatory notice to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited on Monday.

It stated that the regulator gave subscribers till February 28, 2024, to link their SIMs to NIN, urging those on its network to do the needful to avoid being cut off from March 2024.

“We urge all our subscribers who have not yet linked their NIN to their lines to take immediate action by visiting the nearest MTN outlet or using any of our digital channels before the deadlines. Those without a NIN should visit any of the NIMC’s enrolment centres nationwide to enrol for NIN,” a part of the statement said.

However, the leading telco in Nigeria did not say if this new directive will impact its financial performance.

The company only promised in the disclosure to “provide further updates to investors on progress and potential impact with the release of FY 2023 results.”

MTN explained that the latest circular from the NCC is a follow-up to the regulator’s directive on April 4, 2022, requiring operators to restrict outgoing calls (one-way barring) for subscribers whose lines are not associated with NINs.

It clarified that, “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 February 28, 2024.

“With regard to NINs that have been submitted but not verified, such lines are to be barred on or before March 29, 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 April 15, 2024.

“All affected subscribers must be verified (biometrics and biodata) before their lines are unbarred.”