NCC Reveals Steps For Unblocking Barred SIM Cards

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said that subscribers whose SIM cards have been barred from making outgoing calls will not be unblocked by telcos if such cards are not linked with the National Identification Numbers (NINs).

The regulator revealed the condition in a statement where it said network service providers have been directed to strictly comply.

The NCC said, “This information has become necessary in view of a viral web link (https://bit.ly/NCC-Sim-Unbar-Gov-Ng) being circulated on social media and on some websites.

“The link and accompanying narrative represent patent misinformation and disinformation certainly designed to mislead the general public about the SIM cards that are barred from making calls, due to non-linkage with NIN at the set deadline.”

Networks service providers on March 4, 2022 barred over 73 million SIM cards that were not linked to a NIN from making outgoing calls following the Federal Government directive. 

The FG had directed subscribers to link their SIMs to their NIN back in December 2020 with several deadlines. The final deadline was March 31, 2021.

But subscribers whose lines have been blocked are seeking solution from several sources, both unapproved.

“The misleading, viral message mischievously displays NCC logo and ostensibly promises members of the public that, by clicking the web link and following further instructions in that regard, subscribers with barred SIM cards can unbar such SIMs across mobile networks without a valid NIN.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the NCC wishes to state categorically that it never issued such statement, directing subscribers or  indicating that subscribers can unbar their SIM without a NIN. As such, the originators and peddlers of the spurious message were out to mischievously mislead unsuspecting members of public. Therefore, their message should be disregarded.

“The NCC is the national regulatory authority for telecommunications in Nigeria, and it is co-driving the process of the NIN-SIM linkage with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) as directed by the Federal Government.

“The Commission will not, under any circumstance, act contrary to Federal Government’s directive to MNOs to bar SIMs cards not linked to NINs at the expiration of the last deadline given for the NIN-SIM linkage exercise.

“Having disclaimed the false viral message, the Commission wishes to officially inform affected telecom subscribers on how they can get their SIMs actively connected to make calls.

“First, for subscribers that have not registered for their NIN, what to do is to get their SIM registered at accredited centres across the country and then link the NIN with their SIM cards through channels provided by their service providers.

“Secondly, for subscribers with registered NINs, what to do is to simply go and link the NIN with their SIMs through channels provided by their service providers.

“The NCC, therefore, uses this opportunity to reiterate its commitment to the Federal Government’s directive on the NIN-SIM Linkage to among others, strengthen security situation in the country, assist in other socio-economic planning activities of the government, as well as to always advance the course of consumer protection from falling victim to the antics of cyber fraudsters.”

Meanwhile,  the commision also denied conducting any form of recruitment .

It said the advertisement indicating there is ongoing recruitment at NCC, circulating on Twitter and through polymediation, may have been diffused to other social media networks, is a scam and should be disregarded.

” NCC wishes to also inform the general public that it is not recruiting at the moment.”