On Sunday, MTN Nigeria began blocking the lines of thousands of subscribers who have not linked their National Identification Number (NIN) as the July 31, 2024 deadline looms. This action follows a directive from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to enforce the NIN-linkage policy initiated in December 2020. MTN had started blocking non-compliant SIMs in December 2023, but many users reported their lines were blocked despite linking their NINs, possibly due to mismatches or incomplete registrations.

In response, telcos have provided steps for customers to unblock their lines. Airtel users can dial *121# to enter their eleven-digit NIN, while Glo users should use 109NIN#. MTN subscribers can check their NIN status at nin.mtn.ng, and Smile customers should send their NIN to customercare@smile.com.ng or call 07020444444.

Gbenga Adebayo, President of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), clarified that the disconnections are primarily due to mismatches in NIN-SIM registration rather than any deliberate actions linked to protests. MTN CEO Karl Toriola previously stated that the company had barred 8.6 million subscribers, with many later reactivated as verification continues for 8.9 million subscribers.
 

Source:techcrunch