Stakeholders Appeal Ban on SIM Cards to Nigerians Below 18

By Adedapo Adesanya

Some stakeholders and telecommunication companies have appealed for a revision to the age limit placed on owning a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), suggesting that it should be applicable to persons below the age of 14.

Nigerians below 18 have been disqualified from registering and owning a SIM, according to the telecommunications industry regulator.

According to a draft copy of the modified Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations published on the commission’s website, it was disclosed that the restriction was made in line with the powers conferred upon the agency by section 70 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.

The announcement was made at a public inquiry on the Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations, alongside the draft SIM Replacement Guidelines and the draft Spectrum Trading Guidelines at NCC’s head office in Abuja on Tuesday, October 5.

NCC’s Executive Commissioner Stakeholders Management, Mr Adeleke Adewolu who spoke at the event said; “The public inquiry is an avenue that enables the commission to develop and review its regulatory instruments by incorporating the comments and suggestions of industry stakeholders.”

Meanwhile, many others have said the decision was valid as it would help check excesses in many parts of the country.