NCC urges MNOs, consumers, others’ compliance with SIM replacement guidelines

*The Nigerian telecoms sector regulator has restated that its role is to enforce compliance with the extant SIM activation, replacement procedures in order to enable stakeholders to avoid problems thereafter

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has insisted that Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), their licensed agents and telecoms subscribers should always comply with the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) registration, activation and replacement procedures as set out in the Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Registration.

ConsumerConnect reports the telecoms sector regulatory Commission requested the stakeholders’ compliance during the 6th Edition of the Telecom Consumer Town Hall on Radio (TCTHR), a radio-based interactive consumer outreach programme of the Commission.

Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs, at NCC, stated that the broadcast is being made under the auspices of NCC Digital Signature, the Commission’s flagship radio programme.

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The Director of Public Affairs stated that the Commission held the  programme, which had NCC officials and representatives of MNOs in attendance in the studio, was aired live on Treasure FM 98.5, Garden City, Port Harcourt, in Rivers State capital, over the weekend.

The theme of the Edition of TCTHR programme is: “Understanding SIM Replacement Procedures”

SIM Replacement Procedures

In his address on the  radio sensitisation programmer, Mr. Efosa Idehen, Director of Consumer Affairs Bureau at NCC, said as operators are to ensure strict compliance when registering their customers, the SIM card owners too have the responsibility to be vigilant to ensure that they are properly captured either for new SIM activation or SIM replacement.

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Idehen stated: “As the telecoms regulator in Nigeria, our role is to enforce compliance with the extant SIM activation and replacement procedures in order to avoid problems that may arise in the event of stolen, lost, damaged SIMs or the need scored the significance of SIM registration to personal and national security, and asserted that compliance with the stipulated procedures for SIM replacement will forestall identity theft, fraudulent SIM swap and other deceitful activities that can be carried out with a SIM card.

According to Idehen,  in line with the Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Registration, all SIM replacements shall be undertaken by the service providers or their licensed agents in a controlled environment to eliminate the recurrent complaints of inconclusive SIM replacement procedures.

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Such experiences, he noted have resulted in subscribers’ being defrauded by cyber fraudsters.

Beware of fake SIM registration agents

Idehen also advised the telecom consumers to be wary of fake SIM registration agents purporting to be working for MNOs with intent to defraud unsuspecting subscribers.

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One of the antics of such agents is to ask for the one-time password (OTP) forwarded to the consumer for activation of the SIM, especially after the SIM replacement process has been done, stated he.

How, therefore, warned telecoms consumers to be wary of such scams.

Use of NINs compulsory, says NCC Public Affairs Director

Addressing the requirements for SIM replacement, Dr. Adinde, said the use of National Identification Number (NIN) is compulsory in addition to all other criteria stated in the SIM Replacement Guidelines.

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He further declared that the provision is stipulated in the Revised National Identity Policy for SIM registration.

Adinde, represented by Venny Eze-Nwabufoh, Port Harcourt Zonal Controller,  also  explained that using the NIN for SIM replacement is beneficial as it helps in identifying the real identity of a mobile phone user, limiting identity fraud, other network related crimes as well as improving national security.

Commission’s Director of Public Affairs further stated that the public sensitisation on SIM registration generally is in line with the obligation of the Commission to ensure effective implementation of the Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Registration.

Both Directors at the Commission informed the listeners that the NCC is saddled with the responsibility to oversee the implementation and management of the National SIM Registration Database.

Adinde and Idehen as well explained that one of the obligations of the Commission is to ensure the implementation of the policy on revised national identity for SIM registration, and to have oversight of its strategies, standards, guidelines as well as frameworks in order to improve the identity and security management of mobile phone subscribers in Nigeria.

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