The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said it would not carry out mass disconnection of subscribers for failing to link National Identity Numbers ( NIN) to their phones.
A statement signed by NCC Director of Public Affiars, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde said the fear expressed in social media that the Commission would carry out mass disconnection was ” unfounded”.
“Most of these publications are based on the erroneous assumption that for every network or SIM connection, there is one unique human subscriber”, Adinde said.
“The advent of social media and App-driven digital environment, network subscription went beyond human subscribers to include machines like PoS, Routers, Wi-Fi devices, electricity meters, CCTV, tracking devices etc.
“A recent survey conducted in Nigeria has shown that on average, there are now approximately 4 to 5 SIMs to every human subscriber. This explains the basis of allowing the linkage of up to 7 SIMs to 1 unique NIN in the recently launched Federal Government Portal.
“Thus, if there are 43 million Nigerians with NINs, this could account for about 172 million SIMs already linked to NINs. It is very important to emphasize that the current exercise of linking NIN to SIM(s) is for the common good of all Nigerians, as it has far reaching benefits.
“Apart from enhancing our general safety, this will help in such vital exercises like National Budgeting, Policy Planning, Social Intervention programs and many more”, he added.
Adinde said government will continue to review the exercise in the light of experiences to ensure its smooth implementation.
