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Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the National Communication Commission (NCC), has emphasized the critical importance of linking National Identification Numbers (NIN) to SIM cards for telecom consumers in Nigeria, citing national security as a primary concern.
Addressing attendees at the ongoing 45th Kaduna International Trade Fair, Dr. Maida, represented by Mr. Reuben Mouka, NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, reiterated the urgency of the matter. He announced that the NCC has directed all telecommunication operators to disconnect phone lines of subscribers whose SIM cards are not linked to their NINs by February 28, 2024.
Dr. Maida underscored the significance of this year’s trade fair theme, “Sustaining Economic Recovery through Deepening Local Content Value Chain,” emphasizing its alignment with the NCC’s objectives in promoting local content development within the telecommunications industry.
As an independent national regulatory authority overseeing telecommunications services in Nigeria, the NCC is committed to creating a regulatory environment that ensures universal access to affordable and equitable service, supporting the nation’s economic growth.
Dr. Maida highlighted the NCC’s efforts in safeguarding consumer rights and promoting satisfaction through initiatives such as the Telecom Consumer Assistance, Resolution, and Enquiries (TELCARE) Desk, established to address consumer issues and facilitate the resolution of complaints.
Additionally, the NCC has implemented various programs to Protect, Inform, and Educate (PIE) telecom consumers, including consumer education outreach programs, consumer complaints management channels, and campaigns on the National Identification Number-Subscriber Identification Module (NIN-SIM) linkage.
The NIN-SIM linkage process aims to authenticate and protect consumer identity, with subscribers urged to submit their NINs to their respective service providers for completion of the process. Dr. Maida outlined steps for obtaining NINs and linking them to SIM cards, emphasizing the necessity of valid identification and BVN for enrollment.
