While the insecurity situation in some parts of the country has festered in the last seven years and has led to increased banditry, terrorism and frauds across boards, the Federal Government will from September 15, 2024 block all Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) not linked to National Identity Numbers, NIN.

The FG made this announcement through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday in a statement, where it informed that it has pegged the final deadline date for the linkage of SIMs to NINs to September 14.

This final deadline date is coming amid a rise in the activities of criminals, who still use SIMs, and NINs to perpetrate their criminal activities. The SIM-NIN linkage exercise ab initio, according to the government was to help in addressing criminality, including kidnappers, bandits, and fraudsters, among others. But the extent of success cannot be ascertained.

Indeed, NCC in the statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Mouka, to announce the deadline, said Nigeria has made significant progress in the Federal Government’s 2020 policy to link all SIMs to NINs.

The telecoms regulator disclosed that to date, over 153 million SIMs have been successfully linked to a NIN, reflecting an impressive compliance rate of 96 per cent, a substantial increase from 69.7 per cent in January 2024.

Though the NCC claimed that there has been 96 per cent complaint for the linkage, The Guardian checks showed that over 50 million SIMs may be blocked by September if not linked, especially because of the multi-SIMMING nature of Nigerians and use of different devices that are SIM dependent.

As of Q1, 2024, the NCC puts active mobile subscriptions in the country at 219 million and in the statement of yesterday, about 153 million SIMs have been linked, meaning that some 50 million risk disconnection by mid-September. It must also be stated that between the second quarter and now, some lines must have been registered and linked, which would make the exposed SIMs hover between 50 million and 55 million.

It should be noted that under the NIN-SIM linkage policy, an individual is allowed to register a maximum of four SIM cards per network operator. This is exclusive of SIMS that the individual may wish to use in Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as wearable, trackers, among others.

NCC said as the country approaches the final phase of this critical process, it seeks the continued cooperation of all Nigerians to achieve 100 per cent compliance.

The telecoms regulator said the complete linkage of all SIM cards to NINs is essential for enhancing the trust and security of the digital economy.
“By verifying all mobile users, this policy strengthens confidence in digital transactions, reduces the risk of fraud and cybercrime, and supports greater participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services. This, in turn, promotes financial inclusion and drives economic growth,” it stated.

NCC revealed that through collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), it uncovered alarming cases where individuals possessed an unusually high number of SIM cards—some exceeding 100,000.

The Commission said it remained committed to working with se

NewsFG Moves To Disconnect 50 Million Unlinked SIMs Next Month
ByVreportersPublished on August 29, 2024

While the insecurity situation in some parts 3the country has festered in the last seven years and has led to increased banditry, terrorism and frauds across boards, the Federal Government will from September 15, 2024 block all Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) not linked to National Identity Numbers, NIN.

The FG made this announcement through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday in a statement, where it informed that it has pegged the final deadline date for the linkage of SIMs to NINs to September 14.

This final deadline date is coming amid a rise in the activities of criminals, who still use SIMs, and NINs to perpetrate their criminal activities. The SIM-NIN linkage exercise ab initio, according to the government was to help in addressing criminality, including kidnappers, bandits, and fraudsters, among others. But the extent of success cannot be ascertained.

Indeed, NCC in the statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Mouka, to announce the deadline, said Nigeria has made significant progress in the Federal Government’s 2020 policy to link all SIMs to NINs.

The telecoms regulator disclosed that to date, over 153 million SIMs have been successfully linked to a NIN, reflecting an impressive compliance rate of 96 per cent, a substantial increase from 69.7 per cent in January 2024.

Though the NCC claimed that there has been 96 per cent complaint for the linkage, The Guardian checks showed that over 50 million SIMs may be blocked by September if not linked, especially because of the multi-SIMMING nature of Nigerians and use of different devices that are SIM dependent.

As of Q1, 2024, the NCC puts active mobile subscriptions in the country at 219 million and in the statement of yesterday, about 153 million SIMs have been linked, meaning that some 50 million risk disconnection by mid-September. It must also be stated that between the second quarter and now, some lines must have been registered and linked, which would make the exposed SIMs hover between 50 million and 55 million.

It should be noted that under the NIN-SIM linkage policy, an individual is allowed to register a maximum of four SIM cards per network operator. This is exclusive of SIMS that the individual may wish to use in Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as wearable, trackers, among others.

NCC said as the country approaches the final phase of this critical process, it seeks the continued cooperation of all Nigerians to achieve 100 per cent compliance.

The telecoms regulator said the complete linkage of all SIM cards to NINs is essential for enhancing the trust and security of the digital economy.
“By verifying all mobile users, this policy strengthens confidence in digital transactions, reduces the risk of fraud and cybercrime, and supports greater participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services. This, in turn, promotes financial inclusion and drives economic growth,” it stated.

NCC revealed that through collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), it uncovered alarming cases where individuals possessed an unusually high number of SIM cards—some exceeding 100,000.

The Commission said it remained committed to working with security agencies and other stakeholders to crack down on the sale of pre-registered SIMs, thereby safeguarding national security and ensuring the integrity of mobile numbers in Nigeria.

“To ensure full compliance with the NIN-SIM linkage policy, the NCC has directed all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to complete the mandatory verification and linkage of SIMs to NINs by September 14, 2024.

“Effective September 15, 2024, the Commission expects that no SIM operating in Nigeria will be without a valid NIN,” it stated. NCC urged all members of the public, who have not yet completed their NIN-SIM linkage, or who have faced issues due to verification mismatches, to visit their service providers promptly to update their details before the deadline. Alternatively, the approved self-service portals are available for this purpose.

The Commission also reminded the public that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIMs are criminal offences punishable by imprisonment and fines.
“We encourage citizens to report any such activities to the Commission via our toll-free line (622) or through our social media platforms,” it stated.

Indeed, the acclaimed success of the NIN-SIM linkage has been questioned as regards the extent to which the initiative has helped the country to curb the rising menace of kidnapping, banditry, cyber fraud and the rest in the country.

It is worrisome that despite the sacrifices made by Nigerians to get their SIM registered and linked to NIN, crime levels refused to abate in the country.
At the commencement of the linkage exercise in 2020, the then Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isah Pantami, claimed that the process would enable Nigeria to tackle the growing insecurity in the country, but four years after, insecurity has festered.

Bandits have become more emboldened, kidnapping harmless Nigerians at every slightest opportunity, subsequently smiling to banks after every successful operation without traces, despite the NIN-SIM initiatives.

According to checks, from January and July 2024, no fewer than 2,140 people were kidnapped. An SBM Intelligence report on Nigeria’s security crisis reveals alarming statistics for 2024, showing, 3,277 people kidnapped in 135 mass abduction incidents, resulting in 125 deaths. The North West and North Central regions were hardest hit, with 2,719 kidnappings combined.

It also showed that families of 62 victims, representing 2.89 per cent of the total abductees, paid the sum of N389 million as ransom to secure their release from the kidnappers.

Over the seven months, gunmen reportedly kidnapped 193 people in January, 101 in February, 543 in March, 112 in April, 977 in May, 97 in June, and 117 in July, totaling 2,140.

Guardian