By Chinenye Anuforo
Contrary to speculation linking the recent disconnection of subscribers’ lines to potential nationwide protests, the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has clarified that the move was strictly in adherence to Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) regulations.
The NIN-SIM linkage initiative, introduced in 2020, aims to enhance national security by establishing a comprehensive database of SIM card owners. Despite multiple deadlines and extensions, a significant number of subscribers have yet to complete the verification process.
The NCC has adopted a phased approach to enforcing the policy, with several disconnection dates implemented since December 2023. The current deadline of 31 July 2024, was announced well in advance of any planned protests.
ALTON stated that discrepancies between the SIM registration database and the National Identity Database have led to the disconnections. The organisation emphasised that there is absolutely no connection between the ongoing subscriber line barring exercise and the planned national protest.
“The fact of the matter is that the harmonisation exercise of the SIM Registration database and National Identity Database has been ongoing for several months. This is aimed at improving the integrity of the National SIM registration database. Customers who had their lines blocked recently are those whose service providers found a mismatch between their records on both databases. We advise such customers to contact their service providers through communicated channels for resolution of the issue,” ALTON explained.
The companies have assured the public that the process is aimed at enhancing security and improving network services. They urged affected customers to follow the provided channels to rectify the discrepancies and reactivate their lines.
All operators have put measures in place to ensure that anyone whose line is blocked can unblock it by following some easy steps:
1. Airtel: Dial *121# and input your eleven-digit NIN. The subscriber will receive a confirmation message that their Airtel SIM card has been successfully unbarred.
2. EMTS (9Mobile): Dial *200*8#
3. Glo: Dial *109*Your NIN#, for example, *109*12345678901#. Then follow the prompts to submit your NIN for linkage.
4. MTN: Visit nin.mtn.ng to check the NIN status, and if not linked, proceed to link it. During the process, an OTP will be requested, as well as the NIN. After giving consent and submitting the NIN linking request, the line will be automatically unbarred.
5. Smile: Send your valid NIN to [email protected] or call 07020444444. You will be asked to provide consent. Upon receipt of customer consent and successful verification of the NIN, the line will be unbarred.
6. Spectranet: Call the toll-free line 8002345678 and submit your NIN. However, you will have to complete your KYC at a Spectranet store. You can also email [email protected] and submit your NIN, but you will still have to submit your KYC at a Spectranet store. You can go to the Spectranet website and submit your NIN online, but to complete the process, you will have to do KYC at a Spectranet store.
7. Ntel: Visit any Ntel store with your NIN. Your fingerprint will be used to call up your existing KYC profile with Ntel for verification. Once consent is received, the line will be updated and unbarred.
“If these online steps fail, subscribers can physically visit any walk-in centre of their operator to unblock their lines.
“ALTON is committed to supporting the government of Nigeria and upholding the rights of citizens. As an industry, we respect and commit to protecting the rights of all people to communicate, to share information freely and responsibly, and to enjoy privacy and security regarding their data and their use of digital communications,” the telecom association noted.