The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned that telecommunication companies that fail to adhere with the order to block Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards not linked to National Identification Numbers (NIN) will be sanctioned.
This was confirmed by the Director of Public Affairs, NCC, Reuben Mouka, in an interview with Punch.
According to Mouka, “It is not an issue whether the telcos have started complying or not. We have asked to link the SIM cards to NIN. We have given our directives, and we expect compliance. So, if there is any evidence of non-compliance, what follows would be sanction.
Asked when this sanction would commence, Mouka said, “We can’t say this is the time we would begin to start sanctioning. That also requires a regulatory process. But any operator that fails to comply will be sanctioned.”
The telecom regulator had in December asked telcos to bar an estimated 12 million lines that have not been linked to the owners’ NINs after the expiration of the February 28, 2024, deadline.
On Wednesday, the NCC reaffirmed its stance on the matter and ruled out an extension of the deadline.
