New conditions for SIM replacement introduced by Nigerian government
The Federal Government of Nigeria has rolled out new conditions for SIM replacement by telecommunication service subscribers in the event of damage, loss, or theft.
In a joint statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Ikechukwu Adinde; and Head, Corporate Communication, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Kayode Adegoke on Friday, it said subscribers must present their National Identification Numbers (NIN) for their SIM cards to be replaced.
The statement added that the decision was taken by Isa Pantami, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, 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 NIMC, NCC, the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, and Mobile Network Operators.
Recall that the NCC had ordered telecommunications companies to halt the sale and activation of Subscriber Identification Module (SIM).
NCC warned that non-compliance by network operators could lead to the withdrawal of operating licenses.