NCC announces suspension of new SIM card registration by network operators

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced that it is embarking on another audit of the Subscriber Registration Database in the country.

The move is in line with the Federal Government’s desire to consolidate the achievement of the SIM card registration exercise of September, 2019, the commission disclosed in a statement signed by Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director, Public Affairs, NCC, dated Wednesday, December 9, 2020.

The statement quoted the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami),to have directed the NCC to proceed with the audit.

“The objective of the audit exercise is to verify and ensure compliance by Mobile Network Operators with the set quality standards and requirements of SIM Card Registration as issued by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and the Commission”.

Accordingly, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are hereby directed to immediately suspend the sale, registration and activation of new SIM Cards until the audit exercise is concluded, and Government has conveyed the new direction.

However, where it is absolutely necessary, exemption may be granted in writing by the Commission following approval from the Federal Government.

MNOs are to please note that non-compliance with this directive will be met with strict sanctions, including the possibility of withdrawal of operating license.

As the Minister has earlier directed in January, 2020, all citizens are urged to immediately secure Digital Identification from the National Identity Management Commission and submit it to the Network Operators.