MTN Faces Backlash Over Mass SIM Barring

MTN Nigeria, the country’s largest telecommunications operator, is facing a public outcry following the mass barring of subscriber lines over the weekend. The action, purportedly taken in compliance with the ongoing NIN-SIM linkage directive, has caused widespread disruption and frustration among Nigerians.

Despite claims by many affected subscribers of having already linked their National Identification Numbers (NIN) to their SIM cards, their lines were deactivated, leading to a surge in customers storming MTN offices nationwide on Monday. In Lagos, the protests escalated with reports of property damage at some MTN facilities.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the industry regulator, has responded to the public outcry by ordering telecommunications companies to immediately reactivate all barred lines. The NCC also announced a further extension of the NIN-SIM linkage deadline, marking the third such extension since the initial February 28, 2024, deadline. The new deadline has yet to be officially communicated.

The repeated deadlines and subsequent extensions have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the policy and its implementation. The latest incident has underscored the challenges faced by Nigerians in complying with the directive and the impact of such measures on businesses and everyday life.

As the situation unfolds, there are growing calls for a more efficient and less disruptive approach to the NIN-SIM linkage process.