NCC records giant strides in Nigeria’s SIM Card Registration — FG

By Eyo Nsima

Despite several challenges, the Nigerian Communications Communication, NCC, has taken bolds steps to carry out SIM Card registration in the nation, according to the Federal Government.

Providing details in its new revised National Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration obtained from the Nigerian Communications Commission’s website, the Federal Government, stated: “The NCC officially announced that the registration of old SIM Cards concluded on the 30th of June, 2013. However, there were cases of millions of unregistered and improperly registered SIM cards still accessing mobile network services. The situation created loopholes that could be exploited by criminals to compromise national security.

“Following the timely directives of the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) FBCS, FNCS, FIIM, the issue was resolved and those millions of unregistered or improperly registered SIM card were either properly registered and reactivated or disconnected altogether. This bold step significantly improved security across the nation by helping the security agencies to track and trace crimes committed using mobile phones and other mobile communication devices.

“To sustain the gains of such an effort, the Honourable Minister urged key stakeholders like the Minister of Defense, Minister of Interior, National Security Adviser, Director General, Department of State Services, Inspector-General of the Nigerian Police Force, the Controller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy by contacting the Ministry in the event of a crime abetted by the use of SIM cards and other mobile devices.”

It also added: “This is to enable the ministry to use information from its databases and other audit trails in order to furnish the security agencies with relevant information for further investigation. These steps will enhance the security of the mobile networks in the country and will encourage citizens to feel at ease when using services provided on the networks.”