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4.2 Million Lines not Linked to NIN Disconnected by MTN
MTN Nigeria, the leading telecommunications provider in the country, announced the disconnection of 4.2 million lines from its network on March 1, 2024.
This action comes after the expiration of the National Identity Number (NIN) linking deadline set by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on February 28, 2024.
The Deadline and Its Significance
The NCC, the industry regulator, issued a directive in December 2023, mandating all telecommunication operators in Nigeria to implement a full network barring on all phone lines not linked to their subscribers’ NINs by February 28, 2024.
This directive aimed to strengthen national security by curbing the activities of criminal elements who often utilize unregistered SIM cards to carry out illegal activities.
MTN’s Response and the Disconnection Process
MTN Nigeria adhered to the NCC’s directive and initiated the disconnection process for MTN network subscribers who failed to link their NINs with their SIM cards before the deadline.
The company, in its audited financial results released on March 1, 2024, revealed that a total of 19 million lines on its network underwent verification.
Out of this number, 4.3 million lines were successfully verified, while 4.2 million lines were disconnected due to the absence of linked NINs.
Impact on Subscribers and Revenue
The disconnection of 4.2 million lines has undoubtedly impacted some MTN subscribers in Nigeria.
These individuals are now unable to make or receive calls, send or receive text messages, or access the internet through their affected lines.
However, MTN Nigeria has downplayed the potential revenue loss, stating that “several of these lines were low-value subscribers, minimizing the revenue impact.”
Related: 5 Easy Ways to Check Your NIN Number in Nigeria
Moving Forward: Seeking Solutions and Engaging Authorities
MTN Nigeria acknowledges the challenges faced by affected subscribers and is actively seeking solutions.
The company is “engaging the authorities to accelerate the NIN verification process” to allow these individuals to regain access to their lines as soon as possible.
Additionally, MTN has “increased its engagement with the affected customers, providing various channels for verification to minimize service disruption.”
A Balancing Act between Security and Convenience
The NIN-SIM linkage exercise, while crucial for national security, has presented challenges for some MTN subscribers.
The disconnection of 4.2 million lines highlights the importance of adhering to deadlines and the potential consequences of non-compliance.
Moving forward, collaboration between MTN Nigeria, the NCC, and subscribers will be crucial to ensuring a smooth and efficient verification process, balancing security concerns with the need for uninterrupted communication services.
