(4 minutes read)
· The Digital Economy Media Support Volunteers Network urged the government to review the current ban on new registration or renewal of Subscriber Identification Module
· In December 2020, the minister directed the Nigerian
Communications Commission, (NCC) to embark on another audit of the Subscriber Registration Database
· As a a result the Mobile Network Operators, (MNOs) were asked to suspend new registrations and replacement of lost SIM cards
The Digital Economy Media Support Volunteers Network (DEMS Volunteers Network), a non-governmental group of media practitioners in Nigeria, has called on Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, to review the current ban on new registration or renewal of Subscriber Identification Module (SIM).
In December 2020, the minister directed the Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC) to embark on another audit of the Subscriber Registration Database. As a a result the Mobile Network Operators, (MNOs) were asked to suspend new registrations and replacement of lost SIM cards.
Acting Director-General of DEMS Volunteers, Prince Stan Okenwa urged that with the successes recorded with regard to the National Identification Number, (NIN) and SIM card integration, the Minister should consider reviewing the suspension, to give room for those with NIN to register new lines, or re-activate their lost SIM cards. The continued suspension of SIM registration, and renewal, has led to untold hardships on individuals, Small and Medium Enterprises, (SMEs) whose means of livelihood are dependent on digital/online transactions.
The Federal Government, the organization urged that the MNOs’ businesses are mainly foreign investment driven. Therefore, shutting them off from selling SIM cards to potential buyers may impact negatively on their earnings and directly affect the taxes they pay to the Nigerian government.
