The Nigerian Communications Commission says there will be no mass disconnection of telephone subscribers amid the rush to get National Identity Number.
NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde,
He said, “Most of these publications are based on the erroneous assumption that for every network or SIM connection, there is one unique human subscriber.
“However, with the advent of social media and app-driven digital environment, network subscription went beyond human subscribers to include machines like PoS, Routers, WiFi devices, electricity meters, CCTV, tracking devices, etc.”
According to Adinde, a recent survey conducted in Nigeria showed that there were approximately four to five SIMs to every human subscriber.
“This explains the basis of allowing the linkage of up to seven SIMs to one unique NIN in the recently launched federal government’s portal.
“Thus, if there are 43m Nigerians with NINs, this could account for about 172m SIMs already linked to NINs.
“It is very important to emphasise that the current exercise of linking NIN to SIMs is for the common good of all Nigerians, as it has far-reaching benefits.
“Apart from enhancing our general safety, this will help in such vital exercises like national budgeting, policy planning, social intervention programmes, and many more,” he added.
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