Nigerians are currently reacting to the Federal government's directive for telecommunications companies to block sim cards that are not registered with the National Identity Numbers, NIN.
On Monday, December
14, the Nigerian Communications Commission held an emergency meeting chaired by
the Minister of Communications, Isa Pantami, where the order was given. A
statement released by
the NCC reads in part
''Following the
earlier directive on the suspension of new SIM registration by network
operators, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr.
Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) convened an urgent meeting of key stakeholders in the
Communications industry on Monday, December 14, 2020.
The meeting had in
attendance the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Management of the Nigerian
Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology
Development Agency (NITDA), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC),
as well as the CEOs and Management staff of all service providers in the
industry.
Stakeholders agreed
that urgent drastic measures have now become inevitable to improve the
integrity and transparency of the SIM registration process.
Following decisions
were taken for immediate implementation by all Network Operators: Affirmation
of the earlier directive to totally suspend registration of NEW SIMs by all
operators.
Operators to require
ALL their subscribers to provide valid National Identification Number (NIN) to
update SIM registration records.
The submission of NIN
by subscribers to take place within two weeks (from today December 16, 2020 and
end by 30 December, 2020).
After the deadline,
ALL SIMs without NINs are to be blocked from the networks. A Ministerial Task Force comprising the
Minister and all the CEOs (among others) as members is to monitor compliance by
all networks.
Violations of this
directive will be met by stiff sanctions, including the possibility of
withdrawal of operating license. The general public is hereby urged to ensure
that their NINs are captured in their SIM registration data,”
Nigerians are reacting
to this development, pointing out that it wasn't well thought out. They argue
that such a directive should not have been given at a time when the country is
still battling with the COVID19 pandemic. They also pointed out that the
process of getting the NIN has been frustrating over the years.
Aisha Yesufu while
reacting to the news tweeted
''The refused to give
Nigerians COVID-19 palliatives. They imposed all sorts of taxes and charges.
Now they are charging you to retrieve NIN. In the meantime, they haven't
reduced cost of governance or their jumbo political salaries. Everything to
squeeze the little people have!''
Kate Henshaw while
expressing her displeasure to the directive, wrote
''Driver's licence - whosai International passport - baabu BVN - for where National ID card - nayheee Its now NIN one needs to get a sim. These people are not going to be satisfied till they bleed us dry and make this hell fiery fiery hot for us. Issokay''
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