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From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
Telecommunications operators in Nigeria must now give subscribers at least 14 days’ notice before deactivating their SIM cards over inactivity or post-paid account churn, according to a new proposal by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The proposal is contained in a consultation paper signed by NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Aminu Maida, and titled Stakeholders Consultation Process for the Telecoms Identity Risks Management Platform, published on February 26, 2026.
The Commission said the move is aimed at strengthening consumer protection while improving identity security across Nigeria’s telecom ecosystem.
“Prior to churning of a post-paid line, the operator shall send a notification to the affected subscriber through an alternative line or an email on the pending churning of his line,” the document stated.
“This notification shall be sent at least 14 days before the final date for the churn of the number,” it added.
A similar protection was proposed for prepaid subscribers. Operators will also be required to notify prepaid customers through alternative contact numbers or email addresses at least 14 days before final deactivation. Currently, under existing Quality-of-Service (QoS) Business Rules, a SIM card can be deactivated if it remains inactive for six months without any revenue-generating activity. If inactivity continues for another six months, the number may be permanently lost unless network faults are proven.
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The new proposal forms part of broader reforms linked to the rollout of the Telecoms Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS), a regulatory platform designed to reduce fraud associated with recycled or illegally swapped phone numbers.
The NCC said the platform will provide a unified verification framework across sectors to protect the integrity of registered mobile numbers.
“The platform will provide a uniform approach for all sectors in relation to the integrity and utilisation of registered MSISDNs on the Nigerian Communications network,” the Commission stated.
Beyond the 14-day notice rule, the NCC also proposed that telecom operators must submit details of all churned numbers to TIRMS within seven days after deactivation. The measure is expected to strengthen regulatory monitoring and improve accountability within the industry.
The proposal is being reviewed under Section 58 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003. Stakeholders have been given 21 days from publication to submit comments, with the consultation window closing on March 20, 2026.
Industry observers say the reforms could help reduce identity fraud risks while giving subscribers more time to react to deactivation notices, especially in cases of accidental inactivity.
If adopted, the policy would mark another step toward tighter consumer protection and improved digital identity management in Nigeria’s telecom sector.
