The Executive Vice Chairman Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Aminu Maida has instructed telecommunications service providers to block subscribers who have not linked their phone numbers to their National Identification Numbers (NIN) by February 28, 2024.
Ruben Mouka, the Director of Public Affairs of the commission said the Executive Vice Chairman gave the directive during the 45th Kaduna International Trade Fair on Wednesday.
Maida emphasized the importance of national security, insisted that telecom consumers link their NIN to their SIM cards by the specified deadline, and reiterated that “the February 28th deadline for telecom operators to deactivate the lines of subscribers failing to link their NIN to SIM cards remains in effect.”
The NCC boss urged telecom companies to prioritize customer satisfaction and maintain high service delivery standards.
“The commission has implemented measures, including the directive on May 17, 2023, for licensed mobile network operators to begin using approved Harmonized Short Codes (HSCs) to provide services to Nigerian telecom consumers.
“This initiative allows consumers to use the same codes across all networks, simplifying access to services for the over 224 million active mobile telephone lines in Nigeria,” he said.
