NCC's revised Sim Card policy will stop Nigerians from owning 4 SIM cards

Following the rising spate of insecurity and ritual killings in the country, Communications and Digital Economy Minister Isa Ibrahim Pantami has asked the Nigerian Communications Commission to stop Nigerians from owning more than three mobile telephone lines.

All unregistered sim cards would also bear the brunt of the heat as the Minister directed telcos to blocked those lines from functioning.

Pantami said: “The revision of the policy is based on the feedback received from the security agencies, following the successful revalidation of improperly registered SIM cards in September 2019 and the blocking of those that failed to revalidate their SIMs.”

The Minister also asked the NCC to revise the Policy on SIM Card registration and usage.

“This is in line with the Powers of the minister as stated in Section 25(1) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003- “the Minister shall, in writing, from time to time notify the Commission or and express his views on the general policy direction of the Federal Government in respect of the communications sector.

“The revision of the policy is based on the feedback received from the security agencies following the successful revalidation of improperly registered SIM cards in September 2019 and the blocking of those that failed to revalidate their SIMs," he stated.

Part of the reforms includes limiting the number of sims to three per person; making sure that the National Identity Number becomes a prerequisite for Nigerians registering new SIM cards, while asking foreigners, to use their passports and visas for registration; amongst others.