Deadline Alert: MTN, Airtel, and Telecom Giants Set to Block Unlinked SIMs by Feb 28, 2024

Telecommunications giants operating in Nigeria, namely MTN, Airtel, and Globacom, have received a directive from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to enforce full network barring on all phone lines lacking associated national identification numbers (NINs) by February 28, 2024. This regulatory measure, aimed at enhancing security and identity verification, is part of the ongoing efforts by the Nigerian government to streamline and fortify its National Identity Management system.

In a notice submitted to the Nigeria Stock Exchange, MTN Nigeria disclosed the specific timelines and conditions for the implementation of this directive. Notably, subscribers who have submitted their NINs but await verification are also subject to complete barring. To mitigate the impact of this measure, MTN is actively engaging with affected subscribers through various communication channels, urging them to expedite the submission of their NINs for prompt verification.

Building on the previous directive issued on April 4, 2022, which mandated operators to restrict outgoing calls for lines not linked with NINs (one-way barring), the NCC’s latest directive represents a more stringent stance, shifting from mere restriction to full barring. This move underscores the government’s commitment to enforcing compliance with identity verification measures and fostering a robust National Identity Management system.

MTN has outlined its commitment to collaborating with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to facilitate and accelerate the NIN verification process. The company emphasized its dedication to adhering to industry-wide directives from the NCC, aligning with its corporate responsibility as a law-abiding entity and in accordance with licensing requirements. MTN has assured investors of its commitment to transparency by providing updates on the progress and potential impact of these measures in its forthcoming FY 2023 results.

The company recognizes the significance of the National Identity Management system as a critical enabler for national and economic development. Acknowledging the efforts of the Federal Government in implementing a reliable and sustainable identity management system, MTN expressed its support for the initiative.

As part of its proactive approach, MTN is augmenting the capacity of its service outlets to streamline and enhance the NIN submission and verification process. The company is actively encouraging subscribers who have not linked their NINs to their lines to take immediate action by visiting the nearest outlet or utilizing digital channels before the stipulated deadlines. Additionally, individuals without a NIN are encouraged to visit any of the NIMC’s enrollment centers nationwide to enroll and obtain their unique identification number.

The directive, while reinforcing the government’s commitment to identity management and security, raises concerns about potential repercussions for telecom operators. Since the initiation of the mandatory NIN-SIM Linkage exercise in December 2020, operators experienced a loss of over 20 million subscriptions as some users abandoned their lines. Despite the initial setbacks, the industry witnessed a recovery, with active subscriptions across the four major mobile networks surpassing 200 million as of August.

However, with the intensified measures and the looming full barring of millions of lines from February onwards, telecom operators may face a renewed decline in their subscriber database. The industry’s resilience will be tested as it navigates these challenges, with the outcome likely to impact both the operators and the broader telecommunications landscape in Nigeria.