In Nigeria, bandits and terrorists are finding ways to evade the National Identification Number (NIN) and Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) linkage policy by using pre-registered SIM cards. Despite the policy’s introduction to strengthen security, sources from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have disclosed that criminals are taking advantage of this loophole, complicating efforts to track their activities.
The NIN-SIM linkage policy, introduced by the government in 2020, was aimed at enhancing national security and curbing fraud. However, NCC insiders, who spoke to The PUNCH on the condition of anonymity, noted that the policy is facing challenges, with pre-registered SIMs still in circulation and capacity limitations within the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). One source explained that the policy initially sought to limit misuse of SIMs in criminal activities. “The policy took effect with only about 40 million individuals having NINs,” said the source.
Before the NIN-SIM policy, people could buy multiple SIM cards without verification, which enabled criminals to use pre-registered cards without being traced. “Previously, anyone could buy thousands of SIM cards without scrutiny,” the source stated. “Many were later sold as pre-registered cards, making it easy for criminals to exploit the system.”
The NCC now limits individuals to a maximum of four SIM cards per network to reduce potential misuse. However, some registration agents have circumvented this rule by registering multiple SIMs under a single identity, which are then resold to criminals. According to an NCC insider, “Some agents register the same person multiple times, claiming network failures. The extra SIMs are sold on the black market.”
Despite the NCC’s strict regulations, pre-registered SIMs remain available in some markets. To improve security, the commission raised the minimum age for SIM registration from 16 to 18, and subscribers with more than five unverified SIMs were instructed to regularize their records. Those who failed to link their NIN by March 2024 faced deactivation, and by the deadline, millions of unlinked SIMs were barred from the network. “While over 200 million SIMs were initially linked, only 154 million are active based on recent usage,” a source disclosed, noting that many unverified subscribers vented frustrations online.
Some subscribers have allegedly used their NINs to register multiple SIMs for financial gain, unaware of the legal risks. “Every SIM is now linked to a NIN, which makes the individual accountable for any criminal use of those SIMs,” said the source.
The NCC, in a press release, reaffirmed its commitment to national security. “The sale of pre-registered SIMs is a crime punishable by fines and jail time. We urge citizens to report any incidents through our toll-free line (622) or social media platforms,” the commission stated. The NCC, working with security agencies and NIMC, has reportedly uncovered instances of individuals holding as many as 100,000 SIM cards, significantly complicating tracking efforts. An NCC official stressed, “Our collaboration with security agencies is essential in ensuring that SIM misuse is controlled.”
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Efforts to verify NIN-SIM links faced delays from technical issues at NIMC, particularly due to database upgrades. Recently, NIMC’s systems were down for nearly two days, impacting operators’ ability to process registrations. NIMC’s Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, refuted claims of operational delays, saying, “There’s no delay on our end; network operators face their own issues.” NIMC’s database upgrade aims to expand capacity from 100 million to 250 million unique NINs. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, NIMC’s Director-General, acknowledged the need for improvements. “We are working to increase capacity across all areas. This process will take six to nine months,” she said.
The telecommunications industry has also been hit hard by these regulations. According to data, Nigeria’s active mobile subscriber base fell by 64.37 million, from 219 million in March to 154 million by September. One telecom operator reportedly misrepresented over 40 million inactive subscribers as active, violating industry guidelines. An NCC official explained, “After audits, we removed numbers with no revenue-generating activity for over 90 days.”
Telecom operators have barred millions of lines, impacting subscribers. MTN Nigeria and Airtel Africa together barred 13.5 million lines, with Airtel revealing 4.9 million customers still unverified. The NCC is pushing for tighter regulations and monitoring to curb SIM misuse, but continued collaboration between the NCC, operators, and security agencies remains crucial in securing Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape.