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Despite court ruling, NCC orders immediate disconnection of phone lines without NIN
Despite a ruling by a Federal High Court in Lagos State restraining telecom operators from deactivating or blocking any phone line or SIM card that is not linked to the National Identification Number (NIN), the Nigerian Communications Commission has directive all telecoms to bar telephone subscribers not linked to NINs on or before February 28, 2024.
In a ruling on February 22, 2024, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa granted the application for restraining orders filed by rights activist Olukoya Ogungbeje, telecom operators, including MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, Globacom, 9mobile and Airtel Networks Nigeria Limited, were prohibited from taking any action that enforces the judgment or outrightly bars, deactivates, or restricts SIM cards or phone lines of Nigerian citizens.
The restriction applies to those scheduled for February 28, 2024, or any other date pending the hearing and determination of Ogungbeje’s appeal at the Court of Appeal.
However, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, while speaking at the NCC’s Special Day during the ongoing 45th Kaduna International Trade Fair on Wednesday, insisted that as a matter of critical national security, telecom consumers must link their NIN to their SIM.
Maida, who was represented by Mr Reuben Mouka, NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, reaffirmed that the February 28th deadline given to telecom operators to bar subscribers who failed to link their NIN to SIM, stands.
“To this end, 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 added.
This, the executive vice chairman said, was apt as the theme resonated with the principles and objectives of the commission in promoting local content development in the telecom industry.
READ ALSO: Court stops telecom operators from blocking phone lines over NIN
Maida also said the NCC was committed to protecting consumers’ rights while ensuring their satisfaction and noting 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.
For instance, he continued that the Telecom Consumer Assistance, Resolution and Enquiries (TELCARE) Desk at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja the TELCARE desk was set up to further provide an additional platform to make enquiries on customer issues, receive and facilitate the resolution of telecom consumer complaints.
He explained that by “working together, we can create a more vibrant telecommunications industry that contributes significantly to economic recovery and growth.”
According to him, as of 2023, the telecoms industry’s contribution to the nation’s GDP stood at 13.5% (Source – Nigerian Gross Domestic Product Report November 2023-A publication of the National Bureau of Statistics.
“Conversely, 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.
The NCC boss, therefore urged telecom firms to prioritize customer satisfaction and uphold the highest standards of service delivery, noting that the commission has implemented measures to safeguard the interests of consumers and businesses alike.
One such measure, he said, was 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.
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