NCC orders suspension of new SIM cards sale, registration

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has ordered to suspend the sale, registration and activation of a new Subscriber Indentification Module (SIM).

This comes ahead of an audit of the Subscriber Registration Database.

In a statement on Wednesday, by Director, Public Affairs, Ikechukwu Adinde, said the directive will be in effect until the audit is concluded.

He also noted that the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has instructed the NCC to conduct the exercise.

However, an exemption might be granted if the federal government approves.

The inspection is to ensure that the firms comply with quality standards and requirements.

NCC later released it press statement: SUSPENSION OF NEW SIM CARD REGISTRATION BY NETWORK OPERATORS

“In line with the Federal Government desire to consolidate the achievement of the SIM Card registration exercise of September, 2019, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to embark on another audit of the Subscriber Registration Database again.

The objective of the audit exercise is to verify and ensure compliance by Mobile Network Operators with the set quality standards and requirements of SIM Card Registration as issued by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and the Commission.

Accordingly, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are hereby directed to immediately suspend the sale, registration and activation of new SIM Cards until the audit exercise is concluded, and Government has conveyed the new direction.

However, where it is absolutely necessary, exemption may be granted in writing by the Commission following approval from the Federal Government.
MNOs are to please note that non-compliance with this directive will be met with strict sanctions, including the possibility of withdrawal of operating license.

As the Minister has earlier directed in January, 2020, all citizens are urged to immediately secure Digital Identification from the National Identity Management Commission and submit it to the Network Operators”.

Signed:
Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde
Director, Public Affairs
December 9, 2020