Telecom
Why Millions of Africans are Right to Resist Mobile SIM Card Registration
By Dr Tony Roberts and Ridwan Oloyede
Mobile SIM registration linked to digital ID is causing exclusion of marginalised groups, and concerns about privacy in the absence of sufficient legal safeguards, especially in nations with a history of abuse by authorities.
These are some of the planks of an article published on Thomson Reuters Foundation website by Dr Tony Roberts and Ridwan Oloyede.
Dr Tony Roberts is a research fellow at the Institute of Development Studies, and a member of the African Digital Rights Network.
Ridwan Oloyede is a legal practitioner, research fellow and consultant based in Nigeria, and a member of the African Digital Rights Network.
According to the article, in recent weeks, millions of Nigerians have been barred from making calls after the government instructed telecommunications providers to disconnect their SIM cards because they failed to comply with the government directive to register and link them to their digital ID, known as the National Identity Number (NIN).
Most countries in Africa – 50 nations according to research by Privacy International – and around the world require SIM registration to identify the user.
However, Nigeria has gone further by requiring SIM cards to be registered and linked with a citizen’s digital ID, and therefore with the biometric data that it contains.
Nigeria is not alone in doing this: some 30 countries globally require SIM registration linked to digital ID including biometric data such as fingerprints or facial images.
Such a registration policy excludes many marginalised groups such as some ethnic minorities or migrant workers without ID proof such as a birth certificates, needed to obtain a digital ID.
This locks them out from obtaining a SIM – and therefore from mobile connectivity – and from government services that increasingly require mobile or internet service to access.
Secondly, SIM registration linked to digital ID is causing concerns about privacy rights – not only in Nigeria but also in Uganda, Zambia and Kenya – in the absence of sufficient legal safeguards to protect their data. More so, where there is a historical record of abuse by authorities.
From our research at the African Digital Rights Network, we believe citizens are right to be concerned. Linking digital IDs and mobile SIMs, and linking these with mobile banking apps and other digital services, is the “unholy trinity” of digital surveillance.
When combined with further government or corporate data, this surveillance stack enables governments to track an individual’s real-time movements, transactions, email, voice and social media communications, providing a powerful infrastructure for state surveillance.
Digital identification is becoming a central component of repressive digital surveillance. In the six African countries we studied, we found governments making major investments in surveillance technologies, not only in digital IDs and SIM registration, but also in CCTV, encryption breaking and car licence plate and facial recognition systems.
They also created laws forcing telecom companies to capture and store citizens’ communications for possible state use.
In Nigeria, that fear was exacerbated in February, when it was reported that President Muhammadu Buhari had allowed security agencies to access the NIN database. The government’s argument for mandatory registration of SIM cards linked to digital IDs hinges on security, and allowing governments to track criminality. However, there is no evidence that mandatory SIM registration lowers crime or makes a difference in crime detection.
Everyone wants governments to track the most serious criminals to prevent mass atrocities. But citizens also want governments to respect and protect everyone’s right to privacy. Due to the covert nature of surveillance, and the large power imbalance between the state and the people being watched, there is a clear opportunity to abuse power: our research on surveillance law in Africa shows that most surveillance is conducted on political opponents, business rivals, journalists, civil society activists and low-level criminals. These are all in violation of privacy rights.
In most African countries including Nigeria, it is also in violation of the constitution, international human rights conventions, and domestic laws which protect privacy of communication.
However, branches of the state regularly violate this privacy law, and they do so with impunity, with no accountability for such violations.
To protect citizens against abuses of their data and privacy rights, robust data protection and privacy laws are needed that provide for independent oversight bodies with the independence, resources and power to monitor surveillance practices, and hold governments and corporations accountable for any breaches.
Citizens have a right to legal citizenship and to access government services and entitlements. This should not be contingent on a biometric ID system that locks out the most vulnerable, and enables repressive governments to conduct mass surveillance.
MTN South Africa, in partnership with Lynk Global, has successfully conducted Africa’s first satellite-to-mobile phone call touted as a groundbreaking development.
This historic trial, conducted in Vryburg, North West province, marks a major step toward bridging connectivity gaps in underserved and rural regions across the continent.
The test involved making a voice call using a standard smartphone connected via a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite.
This innovative approach eliminates the need for traditional network infrastructure, providing a viable solution for remote areas with limited or no mobile coverage.
According to Charles Molapisi, CEO of MTN South Africa, this initiative aligns with the company’s broader strategy to extend network coverage to hard-to-reach areas.
“This achievement demonstrates our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to ensure connectivity for all, regardless of location,” Molapisi stated.
The trial also assessed SMS capabilities over the LEO satellite connection, proving the technology’s potential for widespread application.
With successful implementation, satellite-to-mobile communication could revolutionise telecommunications in Africa, enabling digital inclusion and economic opportunities in regions previously disconnected from mainstream networks.
This milestone underscores the growing role of satellite technology in Africa’s telecommunications landscape.
By integrating satellite solutions with existing mobile networks, MTN and Lynk Global aim to provide seamless connectivity that overcomes traditional infrastructure challenges.
Samson Aminu, also known as Smile, has described the Smart Treasure Investment Team (ST Team) as a transformative force that has empowered its members and significantly contributed to poverty eradication.
Samson Aminu
Aminu, a VIP 9 member of the team, shared his experiences on Friday during the official car presentation ceremony held at the regional office in Lagos. Having recently received a Lexus RX350 and an international vacation from the team, Aminu recounted how the organization has positively changed his life.
“The Smart Treasure Investment Team has really imparted my life positively and changed my status from zero to hero,” he said.
He revealed that his first earnings through the team allowed him to relocate to a new apartment and acquire gadgets. “I’ve purchased various items for myself and my family, and established an operational center in Ilorin,” he added.
The ST Team, according to Aminu, aligns its activities with the United Nations’ 16 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which include youth empowerment, poverty eradication, support for education in rural areas, and community service.
“The ST Team has come to eradicate poverty in Africa and across the globe. We are teaching people how to catch fish by themselves and making them financially stable,” Aminu explained.
He highlighted the organization’s initiatives such as providing allowances to civil servants, feeding the elderly, orphans, and widows, and investing in agriculture to sustain local communities.
“If the ST Team lasts long for another three years, the government would be grateful to this project as it would bring peace and comfort to the society,” Aminu said.
He applauded the leaders of the organization, Dr. Harold and Mentor Tina, for their sincerity, honesty, and dedication to humanity. “I urge the government to support this project, which has brought significant change to Nigeria in just two years,” he said.
Aminu, who has over 15 years of experience in multilevel marketing, commended the team for its exceptional standards and sustainability.
Telecom
15-Year-Old Autistic Artist, Kanye, to Unveil World’s Largest Art Canvas on Autism Awareness Day
Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, affectionately known as Kanye, has become a beacon of inspiration for Nigeria’s youth. The 15-year-old autistic artist is set to unveil what is expected to be the world’s largest art canvas by an individual on April 2, 2025, World Autism Awareness Day, at Eagles Square in Abuja.
Kanye’s journey began at the tender age of two when he first showed a proclivity towards art. Despite facing challenges associated with autism, Kanye has flourished as an artist, earning accolades and the nickname “Young Picasso” for his exceptional abstract paintings.
The young prodigy’s attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record started in November. 2024, as part of the Zeebah Foundation’s ‘Impossibility Is A Myth’ project. This initiative not only showcases Kanye’s extraordinary talent but also aims to raise funds for a state-of-the-art autism resource center in Abuja, highlighting the need for greater support and inclusion for individuals with autism.
Kanye’s story aligns with MTN Nigeria’s recent “Go Make A Difference” (Go M.A.D) campaign, which encourages Nigerians to take bold steps and create positive impacts in their communities. Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, MTN’s Chief Marketing Officer, emphasised how Kanye embodies the Go M.A.D philosophy: “MTN’s mission is to connect people all over the world. Kanye is connecting art lovers, and people all over the world as well. He is a true icon, breaking barriers and proving that nothing is impossible”.
The unveiling event will be attended by key dignitaries, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa. This high-profile support underscores the significance of Kanye’s achievement and its potential to inspire change.
Kanye’s father, Tagbo Okeke, stressed that this record attempt goes beyond personal achievement. “We started this awareness campaign to tell parents that no child should be left behind, that they are Fabulous, Autistic and Talented,” he said. The family’s efforts, including opening a gallery in Abuja where art therapy workshops are conducted, demonstrate their commitment to supporting others on the autism spectrum.
As Nigeria’s youth witness Kanye’s remarkable journey, many are inspired to make their own difference, regardless of the challenges they face. Kanye’s story proves that with determination, support, and the right tools – such as those provided by initiatives like MTN’s Go M.A.D campaign – young Nigerians can achieve extraordinary feats and create meaningful change in their communities.
Kanye’s upcoming unveiling of his monumental artwork is not just a personal triumph; it’s a powerful statement about inclusion, perseverance, and the limitless potential of Nigeria’s youth to make a difference.
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