NCC To Limit Number Of SIM Cards Per Subscriber To Three

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been directed by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami to ensure that mobile network subscribers in the country don’t have more than three SIM cards.

The directive was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by Femi Adeluyi- the Technical Assistant (Information Technology) to the minister.

According to the statement, the  policy is in line with the powers of the minister as stated in Section 25(1) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, which states among other things that: “the Minister shall, in writing, from time to time notify the Commission or and express his views on the general policy direction of the Federal Government in respect of the communications sector.”

The statement said the revised policy is based on the feedback received from the security agencies following the successful revalidation of improperly registered SIM cards in September 2019 and the blocking of those that failed to revalidate their SIMs.

The new policy makes it mandatory for the National Identity Number (NIN) to be a requirement before registering new SIM cards, while existing SIMs are to be updated with National Identity Number (NIN) before 1st December 2020.

It said foreigners’ passports and visas will also be required during their SIM registration process in the country.

Below are the additions to the policy as contained in the Revised Policy on SIM Card Registration and Usage:
 

(i) Ensure that the National Identity Number (NIN) becomes a prerequisite for Nigerians registering new SIM cards (while for foreigners, their passports and visas should be used), while already registered SIM cards are to be updated with National Identity Number     (NIN) before 1st December, 2020;

(ii) Ensure that only fully accredited agents support the SIM card registration process without pre-registering SIM cards themselves, while the eventual registration should be done by the operators;

(iii) There should be a maximum number of SIM cards that can be tied to a single individual, possibly a maximum of 3;

(iv) Ensure that no unregistered SIMs are ever allowed on mobile networks;

(v) Ensure that subscribers can easily check the number of SIM cards registered to their name, along with the associated phone numbers and networks;

(vi) Ensure that mobile network operators fortify their networks against cyberattacks and ensure that they adhere to the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR); and

(vii) Ensure that SIM cards that have been used to perpetrate crimes are permanently deactivated.