The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has revealed the shocking discovery of individuals in the country registering over 100,000 SIM cards to their names. This startling revelation was made in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) during the ongoing NIN-SIM linkage exercise.
The NCC’s latest move demontrates its commitment to ensuring the integrity of mobile numbers in Nigeria and protecting the nation’s digital ecosystem from potential threats.
The NCC stated that under the NIN-SIM linkage policy, individuals are allowed to register a maximum of four SIM cards per network operator, excluding SIMs used for Internet of Things (IOT) devices like wearables and trackers. The Commission raised concerns that individuals with an unusually high number of SIM cards pose significant security risks to the nation. To address this, the NCC has vowed to intensify its collaboration with security agencies and stakeholders to eliminate the sale of pre-registered SIM cards, thereby safeguarding national security.
In a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, the NCC emphasized the importance of linking all SIM cards to National Identification Numbers (NINs) to enhance the trust and security of Nigeria’s digital economy. The Commission highlighted that verifying all mobile users through the NIN-SIM linkage policy strengthens confidence in digital transactions, reduces fraud and cybercrime, and supports broader participation in e-commerce, digital banking, and mobile money services.
The NCC further noted that the proper implementation of the NIN-SIM linkage policy would promote financial inclusion and contribute to economic growth. The Commission also reminded the public that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIMs are criminal offenses punishable by imprisonment and fines, urging Nigerians to report any such activities to the NCC via its toll-free line or social media platforms.
In addition to the disclosure of these alarming cases, the NCC has set a final deadline of September 14, 2024, for all telecom subscribers to link their SIMs with their NINs. The Commission warned that any SIM not linked by this date would be blocked by the network operators, as no unregistered SIMs will be allowed to operate in Nigeria beyond September 15, 2024.
This announcement follows the regulator’s earlier directive to telecom operators to bar millions of unlinked lines ahead of the initial July 31 deadline, which was later extended to give subscribers more time to complete the NIN-SIM linkage process.