The National Communication Commission has directed all telecommunication operators to bar phone lines of subscribers whose lines are not linked to their NINs on or before February 28, 2024.”
365Daily – The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has again directed telecom operators to bar telephone subscribers not linked to their National Identification Numbers (NIN) on or before February 28, 2024.
NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Dr. Aminu Maida, renewed the order at the NCC’s on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at the 45th Kaduna International Trade Fair.
Represented by the commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr Reuben Mouka, Maida insisted that the action was as a matter of critical national security.
“The National Communication Commission has directed all telecommunication operators to bar phone lines of subscribers whose lines are not linked to their NINs on or before February 28, 2024,” he stated.
He affirmed the resolve of the commission to protect consumers’ rights, while ensuring their satisfaction. The EVC added that the commission has created a universally acceptable environment to access “affordable and equitable service and supports the nation’s economic growth.”
“As a regulator of the telecommunications sector in the country, the Commission carries out its functions to ensure service availability, affordability, and sustainability for all categories of consumers, who are leveraging on ICT/Telecoms to drive personal and business activities,” he said.
According to him, as of 2023, the telecoms industry’s contribution to the nation’s GDP stood at 13.5%, according to the Nigerian Gross Domestic Product Report November 2023 figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
However, he warned, ‘As we promote economic growth through the development of local content, we must also address the challenges faced by consumers and NCC is committed to protecting their rights while ensuring their satisfaction.”
He explained that as part of measures to achieve this, the commission has implemented measures to safeguard the interests of consumers and businesses alike including the NCC’s directive on May 17, 2023, that all licensed Mobile Network Operators commence implementation of approved Harmonised Short Codes for providing services to Nigerian telecom consumers.
“The new initiative is enabling consumers using the over 224 million active mobile telephone lines in Nigeria to use the same codes to access services across all networks,” he added.