Telecom subscribers must present NIN to resolve SIM card related issues - FG

Telecom subscribers must present NIN to resolve SIM card related issues – FG

Tayo Afolabi

The Nigerian Communications Commission, has directed that subscribers must present their National Identification Numbers for their SIM cards to be replaced.

In a statement titled, ‘SIM Replacement Policy For The Nigerian Telecommunications Industry’, jointly signed on Friday by the Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Ikechukwu Adinde; and Head, Corporate Communication, NIMC, Kayode Adegoke,Telcos are expected to adhere to other SIM replacement guidelines.

The statement said the decision was taken by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami after he considered the report by a technical committee “charged with the operationalization of the process to ensure an expedited linkage of all SIM Registration Records with NIN”.

The committee comprised the NCC, NIMC, the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, and Mobile Network Operators.

The National Identity Management Commission will also verify the National Identification Numbers presented by subscribers before Mobile Network Operators replace such SIM cards.

It read: “Based on recommendations of the Technical Committee, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy has approved a SIM Replacement Policy for subscribers whose SIMs have been lost, stolen, misplaced or damaged subject to the following conditions:

“That the subscriber present a NIN;

“That an effective verification of the NIN is carried out by NIMC; and

“That the relevant Guidelines and Regulations of NCC concerning SIM Replacement are fully adhered to.

“This policy is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce the burden on subscribers and simplify the exercise. It is aimed at enabling telecommunications service users who need to replace their damaged, stolen or misplaced SIMs to re-establish access to telecom services.”

Recall that, large crowd thronging the NIMC web portal for the process of obtaining their National Identity Number led to the crash of the portal last week.