NIN SIM Linkage: FG Orders MTN and Other Telcos to Block Unregistered SIMS

• The federal government has ordered telecommunication companies in Nigerian to block all outgoing calls on SIM cards that have not been linked to NIN

• The decree was made after the government gave a NIN SIM linkage order last year, for new and existing users in the country

• According to the statement released by the government today, the blocking of unregistered SIMs will take effect from today, April 4, 2022 

After much postponement, the federal government has now decided to block all unlinked SIM cards in Nigeria.

A decree was sent out by the government this morning, ordering that telecommunication companies such as MTN, Airtel, and Glo should block all outgoing calls on SIM cards that have not been linked to a National Identification Number (NIN).

The decree was passed in a joint statement that was released by the Director of Public Affairs NCC, Ikechukwu Adinde, and the head of corporate communications NIMC, Kayode Adegoke.

The statement noted that the ban is applicable to all SIMs issued in Nigeria (including existing and new). It also indicated that the blocking of unregistered SIMs will begin to take effect from today, April 4, 2022.

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The decision comes after an order that was issued by President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, for NIN SIM linkage last year. After the order, the president had extended the deadline several times but has finally decided that the NIN SIM linkage policy can be implemented.

Finally, the statement urged Nigerians and legal residents of the country to visit NIN registration centres for enrollment and issuance of NINs.

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