FG Cracks Down on Sale of Pre-registered Sim Cards, Orders NCC to Block Over 9 Million Sims

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FG Cracks Down on Sale of Pre-registered Sim Cards, Orders NCC to Block Over 9 Million Sims

The Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) to order telecom operators in the country to block over 9 million sim cards that are without proper registration.

FG Cracks Down on Sale of Pre-registered Sim Cards, Orders NCC to Block Over 9 Million Sims
Over 9 million sims are without proper registration

The directive which came from the Minister of Communications, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, is in reaction to the discovery of a high number of improperly registered SIM cards.

The NCC, in its baseline short-term performance targets report submitted to the Ministry as directed by Pantami, revealed that an estimated 9.2 million active sim cards did not comply with the proper procedure of sim registration.

Based on the discovery and the security implication, Pantami directed NCC to ensure all mobile network operators block all SIM cards that do not meet proper registration standards until users comply.

FG Cracks Down on Sale of Pre-registered Sim Cards, Orders NCC to Block Over 9 Million Sims
Sim cards

Sequel to the directive, NCC has instructed MTN, GLO and other telecom operators in the country to block all the sim cards on their network that do not meet registration standards.

The Federal Ministry of Communications points out the use of unregistered sims as a problem that could potentially compromise the nation’s security.

According to a statement by the Ministry, the new rule is part of a short term target set by Pantami to bring an end to the sales of pre-registered and partially-registered SIM cards.

This action taken by the Federal Government is a welcome development. It will go a long way to control the use of untraceable sim cards by kidnappers and criminals in the country.


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