In Nigeria, the ongoing security concerns related to banditry and terrorism are being exacerbated by the misuse of pre-registered Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards. These pre-registered SIMs undermine the National Identification Number (NIN)-SIM linkage policy, which was introduced to fend off criminal activities facilitated by mobile lines. Sources within the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have disclosed that, despite the policy’s implementation, challenges persist due to the prevalence of pre-registered SIMs and capacity issues at the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). The NCC found that when the NIN-SIM policy was first enacted, only about 40 million Nigerians had properly registered NINs, making it easy for criminals to exploit the situation.
Historically, prior to this policy, there were no limitations on the number of SIM cards an individual could acquire. As a result, some individuals amassed large quantities of SIMs, often selling these as pre-registered cards to criminals. In response, the NCC attempted to mitigate misuse by imposing restrictions that allowed individuals to have a maximum of four SIM cards per network. However, some registration agents have cleverly evaded these constraints. They exploit technical glitches to register the same person multiple times, leading to additional SIM cards being sold unlawfully. Consequently, despite active efforts by the NCC to curb the sale of pre-registered SIMs, these illicit cards are still present in the market.
The NIN-SIM linkage policy also invoked changes in registration requirements, such as increasing the minimum age for SIM registration from 16 to 18. This adjustment was made with an eye toward enhancing accountability and security across the board. The NCC has urged individuals with multiple unverified SIM cards to regularize their registrations, giving them until March 2024 to do so. However, it has emerged that, despite reporting over 200 million SIMs initially linked to NINs, only 154 million remained actively usable, raising further concerns regarding the efficiency of the verification process. Concerningly, the persistent misuse of SIM cards continues, as illegal networks capitalize on loopholes, complicating the task of security agencies.
Efforts to resolve these challenges continue. For example, on February 28, 2024, a staggering 50 million subscribers were barred from the network due to unverified SIM registrations, and another 40 million were barred between late March and September 2024. The telecommunications companies have been coordinating with the NCC and NIMC to address these issues but have been hampered by frequent system downtimes experienced by the NIMC. Despite claims from NIMC’s corporate communications head that their systems are functioning properly, complaints about delays in processing registrations persist, leading to frustrations on the part of both users and operators.
The NIMC has acknowledged that its current database is near full capacity, which poses further challenges in managing the NIN-SIM verification system. The director-general pointed out that plans to upgrade the current database capacity have been initiated, aiming to accommodate up to 250 million unique adult NINs. However, approval to expand or replace outdated equipment has been slow, potentially extending the timeline for improvements. These delays can have far-reaching consequences, particularly as security concerns continue to mount due to the inability of existing measures to effectively control illegal SIM registrations and the subsequent criminal activities that arise from them.
Despite the ongoing struggle to regulate the telecommunications sector, persistent gaps in the system continue to facilitate criminal activity. The NCC is committed to enhancing its oversight on SIM card usage and registration processes; however, it recognizes the need for collaboration between itself, network operators, security agencies, and the public to tackle the misuse of SIM cards effectively. Alarmingly, between March and September 2024, the Nigerian telecommunications market saw a decline of 64.37 million mobile subscriptions, attributed largely to the NIN-SIM linkage exercise and an NCC audit that exposed inflated subscriber numbers across various network operators. The outcomes from these audits highlight systemic issues within the sector, revealing that stricter oversight is necessary to ensure improved accountability and integrity in Nigeria’s mobile communications landscape.
