The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC has clarified reports about Sim card disconnection as a result of the ongoing linkage of SIM Registration Records with the National Identity Number (NIN).
In a statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs of the NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, the Commission noted that the clarification is imperative to allay the fears of subscribers and the general public.
According to Adinde, the reports about sim card disconnection are based on the erroneous assumption that for every network or SIM connection, there is one unique human subscriber.
However, he noted that with the advent of social media, network subscriptions went beyond human subscribers to include machines like PoS, Routers, Wi-Fi devices, electricity meters, CCTV, tracking devices, etc.
Sim Card Disconnection
The Commission stated that a recent survey conducted in Nigeria has shown that on average, there are now approximately 4 to 5 SIMs to every human subscriber, hence the need for the linkage of up to 7 SIMs to 1 unique NIN.
The NCC emphasized that the current exercise of linking NIN to SIM(s) is for the common good of all Nigerians.
It was gathered that the linkage will help in areas like National Budgeting, Policy Planning, Social Intervention programs among others.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami has assured that the Government will continue to review the exercise in the light of experiences to ensure its smooth implementation (read more here).