FG to Block All SIM Cards Not Linked With National Identification Numbers (NIMs) by December 30

The Federal Government through the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy has ordered all telecommunications companies in Nigeria to block all Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) not linked or registered with valid Identification Numbers (NINs) after December 30.

Ikechukwu Adinde, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Communications Commission disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.

The new directive was after the ministry ordered the suspension of new SIM registration to allow for broad and complete audit of mobile users in the country.

According to Adinde, the new directive was discussed and agreed upon after an urgent meeting of key stakeholders in Abuja on Tuesday.

The statement reads in part, “Operators to require all their subscribers to provide valid National Identification Numbers to update SIM registration records.

“The submission of NIN by subscribers to take place within two weeks (from today December 16, 2020 and end by 30 December, 2020). After the deadline, all SIMs without NINs are to be blocked from the networks.”

The commission added that a task force comprising the ministers, CEOs and other key stakeholders has been constituted to monitor compliance by all networks.

“Violation of this directive will be met with stiff sanctions, including the possibility of withdrawal of operating licence,” the commission stated.

However, many Nigerians have taken to their social media to criticize the new directive, saying millions of Nigerians are yet to receive their NIMs due to poor planning, technical issues and bribery allegations.

A Twitter user @iam_tandyboy, said “With this present Nigeria, it’s obvious every sector under this government can’t deliver. I could remember when I took my parent to do the National ID at Alausa, Lagos. After the card came out, could you believe NIMC swapped my parents head for each other and said no solution?Face with tears of joy.”

Another Twitter user @rachelb08707818, claimed she paid N5,000 as bribe to collect her National ID.

A popular Nigerian actress, Kate Henshaw also took to her Twitter account to voice her dissatisfaction.

Finally, it is impossible to link about 172 million SIM cards of mobile subscribers to NIM within 14 days given the holidays and the second wave of COVID-19.