Says fears of mass disconnection is unfounded
Admin l Wednesday, January 06, 2021
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued clarification on the ongoing NIN-SIM integration exercise, stressing that reports in the media that there would be mass disconnection of subscribers is unfounded.
In a statement, Director, Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde said most of these publications are based on the erroneous assumption that for every network or SIM connection, there is one unique human subscriber.
He explained that with 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 and tracking devices etc.
According to him, 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”, Adinde said, adding 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 noted.
He said Honourable Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami has assured that the Government will continue to review the exercise in the light of experiences to ensure its smooth implementation and called on media partners, publishers and reporters to always endeavour to seek clarification from the Commission before going to the press, especially on sensitive issues.
