Sat. Nov 23rd, 2024

NCC Denies Planning to Restrict SIM Registration for Under 18s

SIM Card Registration

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has debunked reports making the rounds that it was planning to disqualify Nigerians below 18 years of age from getting Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards.

This clarification was contained in a statement signed by Mr Ikechukwu Adinde, Director, Public Affairs of the NCC. The agency stated that SIM acquisition is a contract between service providers and their subscribers – which requires the subscriber to have proper legal status, informs that age of 18 years for SIM acquisition proposed in the draft regulation is contingent on the constitutional provision, which makes 18 years the age of consent in Nigeria.

“The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) would like to draw the attention of the public to a publication in a section of the media, purporting that the commission is developing a regulation to disqualify Nigerians below 18 years of age from getting Subscriber Identity Module (SIM).

“For the avoidance of doubt, the commission wishes to categorically state that the said report is not only misleading and inaccurate; but misinformation and mischaracterisation of the proceedings of the Public Inquiry on the Reviewed/Draft Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations, which took place on Tuesday, October 6, 2021.

“The commission considers it necessary to set the record straight for the purpose of serving existing and potential telecom subscribers, investors and other stakeholders in the industry accurate information for making informed decisions,” a part of the statement disclosed.

It clarified that in accordance with sections 70 and 71 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003 and its consultative engagement process, which define its rule-making process, the public inquiry was held for all relevant stakeholders to provide input on the draft regulatory instrument.

“SIM acquisition is a contract between service providers and their subscribers, which requires the subscriber to have proper legal status, be of the matured mind and rational enough to bear certain responsibilities, obligations and liabilities imposed by a contract.

“The proposal is, therefore, to protect minors. Parents and guardians can acquire SIMs in their names on behalf of their children and wards in which case they assume whatever responsibilities or liabilities that arise from the usage of such SIMs, a measure expected to also strengthen national security.

“While the Commission is progressively pursuing digital inclusion for all, the draft proposal is intended to guarantee increased monitoring of children and shield the minors from undue liabilities in line with NCC’s Child Online Protection drive.

“However, the consultative engagement process is still ongoing, as the Commission is reviewing all input from relevant stakeholders in this regard and will consider and deliberate on all comments before issuing a final regulatory instrument.

“We appeal to our media stakeholders to always fact-check their stories pertaining to telecoms regulatory issues and seek necessary clarifications for informed and accurate reporting as the Commission runs an open-house system,” the statement further said.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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