The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecommunications operators to immediately restore all phone lines blocked due to non-compliance with the National Identification Number (NIN) SIM card linkage policy.
The directive, issued on Monday, by the NCC’s Director of Media and Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, comes as a surprise given the government’s previous insistence on the NIN-SIM verification exercise as a crucial step in enhancing national security and combating cybercrime.
Millions of Nigerians were left without phone service over the weekend after telecom companies blocked SIM cards that had not been linked to valid NINs. The move sparked widespread public outcry and criticism, with many accusing the government of overreach and causing undue hardship to citizens.
In response to the public backlash, the NCC appears to have softened its stance, opting to temporarily reinstate blocked lines to give subscribers more time to complete the verification process. The commission has yet to provide details on the duration of this grace period or any potential penalties for those who fail to comply with the NIN-SIM linkage requirement within the specified timeframe.
Telecommunications operators are now scrambling to comply with the NCC’s order, and it remains to be seen how this latest development will impact the overall progress of the NIN-SIM verification exercise.
