SIM-NIN Linkage: NCC To Forfeit Over 40 Million Blocked Lines

The Nigerian Communications Commission has warned that over 40 million telephone lines, which were barred for failing to link to National Identity Numbers, are at risk of forfeiture.

NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Mouka, disclosed this on Tuesday while speaking with The Punch Online in an interview.

He disclosed that the telephone lines barred by their telecommunication operators have breached the February 28, 2024, deadline issued by the commission mandating telecom customers to link their Subscriber Identity Modules (SIM) to their NIN.

He said, “If the barred lines are not acted upon in the next 180 days.

“They won’t be able to receive calls but will only be able to text and make calls. But after the stipulated days, they would be barred from making calls too. And they might forfeit their lines to their respective service provider within 365 days.”