Telecom
Telcos to Begin another Round of SIM Disconnection March 31
After barring over 40 million phones lines for failure of the owners to link their National Identity Numbers (NINs) to their SIM cards, telecommunications operators are reportedly planning to begin the second phase disconnection on March 31.
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria
The disconnection of 42 million SIM cards in five days, followed directives from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) confirmed the disconnection of 42 million SIM cards in an interview with Thisday.
According to him, the disconnected 42 million SIM cards were registered before 2022 to devices such as Mifi and Tablets, but the subscribers who registered the SIMs, failed to submit their NIN for those registered SIMs.
He however said the second phase of SIM card disconnection, which would begin March 31, would be focused on subscribers who submitted their NIN but the name on the NIN did not correspond with the names on the multiple SIM cards that are linked to the NIN.
He told Thisday, that “All SIM cards without NIN have been disconnected, and it took us five days to disconnect 42 million of such SIM cards, according to the regulatory directive from NCC.
“We expect affected subscribers to provide their NIN, verify it with their SIM registration records, in order to get their SIM cards re-connected. This is the first phase of disconnection.
“The second phase disconnection, which will begin March 31, will be focused on those that submitted their NIN, but the name on the NIN did not match with the names on the multiple SIM cards that are already attached to the NIN,” Adebayo said.
He explained that telecoms operators have commenced sensitising subscribes by sending them messages to verify their NIN-SIM linkage before March 31, to avoid disconnection.
Giving further explanation on the number of SIM cards that have been re-connected, after the 42 million disconnected SIM cards, Adebayo said telecoms operators had commenced the immediate reconnection of SIM cards of those subscribers that had submitted their NINs, and had them linked and verified.
He however said he would not be able to give the exact number of re-connected SIM cards, until audit report has been submitted to the NCC.
He called on telecoms subscribers that received messages for NIN-SIM verification, to quickly ensure the verification is done before March 31.
Since the commencement of SIM card disconnection on February 28, as directed by the NCC, millions of subscribers whose SIM cards were disconnected, have not been able make or receive calls.
NCC, had last December given orders to telecoms operators to commence full barring of all unregistered and improperly registered SIM cards on their networks that had not been linked to the NIN of the SIM card holder.
Meta may shut down its Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria in protest against the substantial fines imposed by multiple government agencies.
The tech giant has been ordered to pay nearly $300 million in fines in Africa’s most populous nation, following regulatory demands which Meta described as “unrealistic.”
In July 2024, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), imposed a $220 million fine on Meta for allegedly discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers.
The commission stated that Meta had failed to engage a Data Protection Compliance Organisation and had not submitted a Nigeria Data Protection Regulation audit report for two consecutive years.
Similarly, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), demanded $37.5 million over unapproved advertising, while the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), announced a $32.8 million fine for an alleged data privacy breach.
Meta challenged the decisions at the Federal High Court in Abuja but was unsuccessful, as the court upheld the fines in a ruling delivered last week.
The court directed the company to comply with payment by the end of June, but Meta has indicated it may not do so, according to the BBC.
“The applicant may be forced to effectively shut down the Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria in order to mitigate the risk of enforcement measures,” the company stated in court documents.
Responding to the NDPC’s assertion that Meta’s data processing could expose Nigerian users to health and financial risks, the company said the agency had failed to “properly interpret the laws guiding data privacy.”
As the Premier League season enters its final stretch, MTN Nigeria is set to stage simultaneous watch parties in Abuja and Uyo on Sunday, May 4, giving football fans a shared space to experience the highs and lows of matchday.
The events, scheduled for Farm City in Wuse and Pyramid Lounge & Grill in Uyo, are expected to attract large turnouts as MTN continues to deepen its connection with football audiences nationwide.
The line-up for the day includes four Premier League fixtures, culminating in a marquee showdown between Chelsea and Liverpool. Earlier games such as Brentford vs Manchester United, Brighton vs Newcastle, and West Ham vs Tottenham will round out a packed viewing schedule. With top four ambitions, title races, and European dreams on the line, the fixtures promise high-stakes drama and entertainment.
MTN’s EPL watch parties have grown into a recurring highlight for fans who want more than just a screen, they want atmosphere. This weekend’s events will feature expansive screen setups, branded fan zones, and side attractions including live trivia and merchandise giveaways.
For MTN, the activations represent an opportunity to tap into the communal spirit of football, a sport that unites Nigerians across regions and loyalties. The brand’s involvement in football has steadily evolved from sponsorship to full-scale experiences, allowing it to build affinity with youth audiences and sports lovers alike.
In recent years, MTN has emerged as a key driver of fan engagement through its partnership with SuperSport and broader investment in Nigeria’s football ecosystem. These dual-city events reflect that strategy in motion, bringing the Premier League closer to the streets and ensuring fans are not just spectators, but participants in the global game.
With anticipation running high and bragging rights on the line, Sunday’s watch parties are shaping up to be a celebration of sport, identity, and the power of community on and off the pitch.
Telecommunications services disrupted in Kogi State have resumed following a resolution of the dispute between MTN Nigeria and the state government, the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has said.
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of ALTON, told TVC News that the issues that led to the shutdown of telecom masts in the state, primarily affecting MTN, had been addressed, paving the way for service restoration.
TVC News earlier reported that businessmen and women were counting their losses as they suffered the impact of a shut down of telecommunication service in Kogi State
Over the past two weeks, telecoms connectivity had been erratic, with competing brands experiencing glitches, particularly in the Lokoja metropolis.
The State government suspended the operations of some telecom services citing unpaid taxes and fibre-related dues.
The shutdown stemmed from a compliance dispute between MTN and the Kogi State Utility Infrastructure Management and Compliance Agency, which accused the telecom giant of violating operational rules and under-declaring the extent of its optic fibre network coverage in the state.
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