Thousands of Nigerians woke up on Sunday to find their SIM cards barred by telecommunications giant MTN Group Limited, sparking widespread outrage across the country.
MTN claimed that the affected subscribers had failed to link their National Identification Number (NIN) with their SIM cards, a policy introduced by Nigerian regulators in December 2020. The disconnection comes despite the deadline for the NIN-SIM linkage being extended multiple times, with the latest deadline set for July 31, 2024.
In response to the mass disconnection, scores of disgruntled subscribers stormed MTN offices in major cities, including Osogbo, Ikeja, Festac town, Uyo, and Warri, venting their frustration and anger over the sudden disruption of their mobile services.
Viral videos shared online show protesters demanding a resolution to the issue, highlighting the widespread disruption caused by MTN's actions. Many subscribers expressed their outrage, arguing that the telecommunications company should have provided more advanced notice and support to help them comply with the NIN-linkage requirement.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had previously instructed telecoms companies to bar subscribers who failed to link their phone numbers to their NIN by the set deadlines. However, the frequent extensions of the deadline have raised questions about the implementation of the policy.
Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), a prominent Nigerian lawyer, has accused telecoms companies of "sabotaging" the upcoming #EndBadGovernance protest in the country, alleging that the disconnections are being used to disrupt communication and organization efforts.
The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators in Nigeria (ALTON), Engr Gbenga Adebayo, has denied the allegation, describing it as "the funniest allegation anybody can make."
As the situation continues to unfold, the NCC and the Nigerian government will likely face increasing pressure to address the concerns of the affected subscribers and ensure a more seamless implementation of the NIN-SIM linkage policy.