Following a nationwide outage on Tuesday, MTN, the largest telecom provider in Nigeria, has resumed nationwide operations.
Due to widespread outcry from customers and vandalism caused by the disconnections of subscribers who neglected to link their SIM cards to their NIDs, a temporary closure was implemented.
By announcing its return to business on X (previously Twitter) on Wednesday, MTN confirmed that its physical stores would be open to the public from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.
“Y’ello customer, please note that our shops nationwide will be open today, 31 July. Operating hours: 8.00 am-3:00 pm. We are also available 24/7 to support you via digital channels,” the operator said.
Due to a lack of NIN-SIM linkage compliance, many subscribers discovered over the weekend that they were unable to access their phone lines. As a result, their numbers were blocked.
Thousands of customers stormed telecom offices on Monday as a result of this blockage, and the Nigerian Communications Commission ordered telecommunications companies to immediately restore all affected lines.
The NCC clarified that the directive was in response to the widespread disruption and subscriber outrage caused by the blockages in a statement signed on Monday by Reuben Muoka, Director of Media and Public Affairs.
The mandatory linkage of NINs with SIMs, initiated in December 2020, was geared towards enhancing the country’s security and ensuring an accurate SIM ownership database. Despite several deadline extensions, including the latest to July 31, 2024, many lines remain unverified.
Since December 2023, the Commission has reviewed the deadline multiple times. The deadline for the entire network was originally scheduled for April 15, 2024, with the exception of subscribers who had four or fewer SIMs and unverified NIN details.
The deadline was then moved to July 31, 2024, to give customers more time to make sure the NIN information they had submitted was accurately validated. Even with these additions, a large number of phone lines have not yet been connected to confirmed NINs.
