FG Introduces New Policy for SIM Replacement/Welcome Back

[Daily Nigerian]

The Federal Government has approved a Subscribers Identification Module, SIM, Card replacement policy for subscribers who may have lost, misplaced, or damaged their cards.

FG releases fresh guidelines for SIM cards replacement.

The guidelines are:

i) The subscriber must present a NIN;

ii) That an effective verification of the NIN is carried out by NIMC

iii) Adherence to other NCC Guidelines and Regulations concerning SIM Replacement.

Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, and Kayode Adegoke of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, jointly made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

Mr Adinde explained that the policy was part of the government’s efforts to reduce the burden on subscribers and simplify the exercise so as to enable telecommunications services to the public.

He said that the Ministerial Task Force, under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali-Pantami, had set up a Technical Committee, made up of representatives of the NCC, NIMC, The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, ALTON, and Mobile Network Operators, MNOs, to facilitate the policy.

He said the minister had approved some conditions, based on recommendations of the Technical Committee, that required the subscriber to present a NIN, an effective verification of the NIN by NIMC, and adherence with the relevant Guidelines and Regulations of NCC, before replacing SIM Cards.

According to him, the government’s drive to ensure all subscriber registrations were linked with NINs was on course and all stakeholders in the industry are working together to ensure a seamless process.

Mr Adinde added that the committee was also charged with the operationalisation of the process, to ensure an expedited linkage of all SIM Registration Records with the NIN.

He said that the government sincerely appreciated Nigerians for the understanding and the commitment demonstrated towards ensuring the overall success of the exercise.