The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has dismissed fears of mass disconnection of telephone subscribers as a result of the ongoing linkage of SIM Registration Records with the National Identity Number, NIN.
In a statement on Wednesday by the Director, Public Affairs, Ikechukwu Adinde, the commission added that the exercise is to help the government in such vital exercises as national budgeting, policy planning, and social Intervention programmes.
Adinde, however, said telephone subscribers will not be disconnected as a result of the ongoing linkage of SIM Registration Records with NIN.
He noted that the commission had to issue a statement to counter numerous publications which created fears that the ongoing exercise would lead to mass disconnection of telephone subscribers.
Adinde asked the media to always endeavour to seek clarification from the Commission before publishing or broadcast any sensitive issues.
The statement reads: “The attention of NCC has been drawn to numerous publications in both print and electronic media regarding the unfounded fears of mass disconnection of telephone subscribers as a result of the ongoing linkage of SIM Registration Records with NIN.
“It is, therefore, necessary for the commission to issue this clarification in order to allay the fears of subscribers and the general public.
“Most of these publications are based on the erroneous assumption that for every network or SIM connection, there is one unique human subscriber.
“However, 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, tracking devices, etc.
“A recent survey conducted in Nigeria has shown that on average, there are now approximately four to five SIMs to every human subscriber. This explains the basis of allowing the linkage of up to seven SIMs to 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 programmes, and many more.
“The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy has assured that the government will continue to review the exercise in the light of experiences to ensure its smooth implementation.”
