The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has officially prohibited individuals under the age of 18 from acquiring Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards. This new policy, aimed at safeguarding minors from potential liabilities associated with SIM usage, was confirmed by sources within the commission.
An NCC official explained that while minors cannot directly obtain a SIM card, parents and guardians have the option to purchase SIMs in their names, thereby assuming all associated responsibilities and liabilities. This move is part of a broader strategy to enhance the protection of minors and improve national security amidst increasing concerns over security threats in Nigeria.
The commission stressed that the legal framework in Nigeria recognizes 18 years as the age of consent. As such, the NCC views SIM acquisition as a contractual process that necessitates subscribers to possess legal maturity and the capacity to fulfill obligations that might arise.
The initiative to restrict SIM cards for minors stemmed from previous proposals made by the NCC in 2021 concerning the Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations. Following the implementation of these regulations, the commission is now enforcing the age restriction as part of its ongoing policy adjustments.
This policy shift is expected to place a greater responsibility on parents to oversee the mobile activities of their children and wards.
Attempts to contact the NCC spokesperson for additional comments were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
Drop in Mobile Subscriptions
In related developments, data has revealed a significant decline in Nigeria's mobile subscriptions, plummeting from 219 million in March to 153 million by September. Officials attribute this sharp decrease primarily to the disconnection of SIMs that were not linked to a verified National Identification Number (NIN).
Further compounding the issue, discrepancies in data reported by one Mobile Network Operator (MNO) have come to light. According to sources, the MNO incorrectly claimed approximately 40 million subscribers were active, despite a lack of revenue-generating activity over a 90-day period. This violation of the NCC’s guidelines resulted in inflated subscriber numbers, skewing overall industry statistics.