The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Nigerian Communications Commission has announced a suspension of sale and registration of SIM cards.
A statement today, December 9, quoted the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, as having directed the NCC to order suspension and activation of new SIM cards, to allow an audit of the Subscriber Registration Database.
The Director of Public Affairs of NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, who said the statement, said that the suspension of the sales and registration of new SIM cards is in line with Federal Government’s desire to consolidate the achievement of September 2019 SIM card registration.
The statement said that the objective of the audit was to verify and ensure compliance by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) with the set quality standards and requirements as issued by the ministry and the commission.
“Accordingly, Mobile Network Operators are hereby directed to immediately suspend the sale, registration and activation of new SIM cards until the audit is concluded, and government has conveyed the new direction.
“Where it is absolutely necessary, exemption may be granted in writing by the commission, following approval from the 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 licence,” he said.
The statement called on Nigerians to immediately secure Digital Identification from the National Identity Management Commission and submit it to the Network Operators as the minister earlier directed in January.
Below is a statement from the commission on the directive:
“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 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 (MNOs) 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, 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.”
