FG Lifts Ban On Replacement, Activation Of SIM

The Federal Government has lifted the earlier suspension order
on replacement and activation of old Subscriber Identification
Module (SIM) card.

In a statement on Thursday, signed by the Director, Public
Affairs at NCC, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, the Commission said the
lifting of the ban was on the condition that the person must have
enrolled and obtained the National Identification Number (NIN)the
National Identification Number (NIN).

It will be recalled that the federal government had on December
9, announced the suspension of the sale and activation of new SIM
cards across networks.

The suspension order according to the Minister of Communications
and Digital Economy was expected to last till the completion of the
audit of the Subscriber Registration Database, which seeks to
achieve global standards and quality in the issuance of SIM
Cards.

For the Commission, the lifting of the ban became imperative in
line with the federal government’s desire to consolidate the
achievement of the SIM Card registration exercise of September
2019.

According to the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of
Nigeria (ALTON), expressed joy over the lifting of the ban.

“Further to engagements with government on the matter, we are
pleased to report that our members have been granted permission to
carry out SIM replacement upon verification of the customer’s NIN.
In this regard, our members are working with the National Identity
Management Commission (NIMC) to ensure seamless system connectivity
for verification of NINs.”

“We note the challenges experienced by customers seeking to
replace or upgrade their SIM cards following the suspension of sale
and activation of SIM cards by the government which also affected
SIM replacement.

“We empathise with people who have been unable to reactivate
their phone lines as a result of the suspension.

”We, therefore, seek the continued patience and understanding of
our esteemed subscribers as we work with all stakeholders towards
speedy resolution of issues affecting SIM Registration/Swap and
activation. We assure you of restoring normal services in a
seamless and effective manner as soon as possible.”

The Federal Government has lifted the earlier suspension order
on replacement and activation of old Subscriber Identification
Module (SIM) card.

In a statement on Thursday, signed by the Director, Public
Affairs at NCC, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, the Commission said the
lifting of the ban was on the condition that the person must have
enrolled and obtained the National Identification Number (NIN)the
National Identification Number (NIN).

It will be recalled that the federal government had on December
9, announced the suspension of the sale and activation of new SIM
cards across networks.

The suspension order according to the Minister of Communications
and Digital Economy was expected to last till the completion of the
audit of the Subscriber Registration Database, which seeks to
achieve global standards and quality in the issuance of SIM
Cards.

For the Commission, the lifting of the ban became imperative in
line with the federal government’s desire to consolidate the
achievement of the SIM Card registration exercise of September
2019.

According to the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of
Nigeria (ALTON), expressed joy over the lifting of the ban.

“Further to engagements with government on the matter, we are
pleased to report that our members have been granted permission to
carry out SIM replacement upon verification of the customer’s NIN.
In this regard, our members are working with the National Identity
Management Commission (NIMC) to ensure seamless system connectivity
for verification of NINs.”

“We note the challenges experienced by customers seeking to
replace or upgrade their SIM cards following the suspension of sale
and activation of SIM cards by the government which also affected
SIM replacement.

“We empathise with people who have been unable to reactivate
their phone lines as a result of the suspension.

”We, therefore, seek the continued patience and understanding of
our esteemed subscribers as we work with all stakeholders towards
speedy resolution of issues affecting SIM Registration/Swap and
activation. We assure you of restoring normal services in a
seamless and effective manner as soon as possible.”