In a time when the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is on a trajectory towards its 2030 goal of connecting every individual on the planet to the internet and mobile networks, Nigeria grapples with a significant challenge.
More than 42 million mobile network subscribers have been disconnected in the country, rendering them unable to communicate. The reason for this disruption is their failure to link their National Identity Numbers (NIN) to their mobile numbers, a mandate issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The deadline for compliance was set for February 28, 2024 and it has been rigorously implemented.
As the repercussions of this directive unfold, it reveals a multifaceted narrative of technological transition, regulatory imperatives, and the broader context of global efforts to bridge the digital divide. While millions of Nigerians face the impact of SIM card deactivation, the ITU is at the forefront of a global movement to extend internet connectivity, emphasising the significance of universal access by 2030.
The NCC’s directive to disable unlinked numbers to NIN, with a stringent deadline for implementation, has resulted in the disconnection of 42 million subscribers in Nigeria. This move was driven by the government’s intention to integrate SIM cards into the NIN database as a countermeasure to growing security concerns, particularly in addressing criminal activities like kidnapping and banditry.
Despite the extension of deadlines and concerted efforts by mobile network operators (MNOs) to facilitate the linkage process, challenges persist. Some subscribers find themselves disconnected even after linking their NIN earlier, while others grapple with the intricacies of the registration process. The disconnection has not only disrupted communication but also raised questions about the accessibility of the NIN registration process and the overall efficacy of the NIN-SIM linkage initiative.
While the local parlance aptly captures the situation with the phrase “there is wahala” (translating to “there is trouble”), the complexity of this issue extends beyond immediate inconveniences to broader implications for national security and individual connectivity.
Simultaneously, on the global stage, the ITU is orchestrating a comprehensive effort to achieve universal internet connectivity by 2030. The ITU secretary-general, Doreen Bogdan-Martin announced at the Mobile World Congress that over USD 9 billion in investment commitments from mobile operator groups has been secured to extend global connectivity. This initiative aligns with ITU’s mission to bridge the digital divide and ensure that every individual, irrespective of geographic location, has access to the benefits of the internet.
The commitments made by various mobile operator groups contribute to a total current investment value of over USD 46 billion since the inception of ITU’s Partner2Connect Digital Coalition in March 2022. These financial pledges are directed towards infrastructure development, services, and support to facilitate global connectivity.
ITU’s latest data for 2023 showcases significant progress in global internet connectivity. The number of people worldwide without internet access has decreased to approximately 2.6 billion, down from 2.7 billion in 2022. With 67 per cent of the world’s population, equivalent to 5.4 billion people, now online, the report underscores the widespread adoption of the internet globally.
However, the digital divide remains a formidable challenge, especially in low-income countries where less than one-third of the population has internet access. The report emphasises that despite a 17 per cent increase in internet users in these regions over the past year, a substantial portion of the population remains disconnected from the digital world.
The director of ITU’s telecommunication development bureau, Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava highlighted that millions, particularly in low-income countries, are missing out on the transformative benefits of internet access during this era of digital transformation. The report also emphasises the need for more than just connectivity, stressing the importance of equipping users with digital skills to fully harness the potential of the internet and navigate the online world safely.
Back in Nigeria, the NCC grapples with the fallout from the SIM card deactivation process. The NCC boss, Aminu Maida outlined a shift towards a data-driven decision-making approach to improve industry operations. He emphasised holding telecom service providers accountable for service delivery, focusing on data-driven decisions, and ensuring consumer satisfaction.
The disconnection of millions of lines undoubtedly causes inconvenience for affected subscribers. While some telecom operators, like MTN, have categorised many of the disconnected lines as belonging to “low-value subscribers,” minimising the financial impact on the company, the loss of service can be disruptive for both subscribers and corporate organisations.
Analysts question the accessibility of the NIN registration process and the potential for social exclusion it may create. Furthermore, concerns linger regarding the effectiveness of the NIN-SIM linkage in achieving its intended security goals.
MTN has indicated that they are working with authorities to streamline the NIN verification process. They have also implemented various channels to facilitate verification for affected customers, aiming to minimise service disruption. It remains to be seen if these efforts will be sufficient to address the concerns of disconnected subscribers and the broader public.
The NCC’s directive and MTN’s subsequent actions highlight the evolving landscape of telecommunications regulation in Nigeria, with a focus on balancing security concerns with user convenience and inclusivity. It will be interesting to observe how this situation unfolds and the long-term impact it has on the Nigerian telecommunications industry.
The policy to deactivate unlinked SIM cards in Nigeria was expected to help the Nigerian authorities in fighting bandits and terrorists who kidnap and kill innocent people daily. Despite the extension of deadlines, many phone lines are yet to be linked. Three years later, it is not clear how much the SIM-NIN connection has helped in fighting insecurity as terrorists have continued to attack the citizens.
While the policy aimed to enhance national security, its implementation has sparked debates and raised questions about its effectiveness. The disconnection of millions of lines has undoubtedly caused inconvenience for affected subscribers. While MTN has stated that many of the disconnected lines belonged to “low-value subscribers,” minimising the financial impact on the company, the loss of service can be disruptive for both subscribers and corporate organisations.
The disconnection on February 28, 2024, has been one of the ‘deadliest’ since 2020, as 42 million subscribers are disconnected from making or receiving calls.
Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo was quoted as saying that “those affected were mainly connected to devices such as MiFi and tablets, which the subscribers did not link to their National Identification Number (NIN).”
According to him, such SIM cards were connected to the devices before the year 2022 and they had not been in use, hence the subscribers did not see the need to link them to their NIN.
But the ITU thinks differently as the United Nations multilateral organisation continues the race to bridge the digital divide by 2030.
As Nigeria grapples with the ramifications of SIM card deactivation, the global community witnesses the ITU’s commitment to global connectivity. These seemingly disparate narratives converge on the broader stage of telecommunications evolution, where national security measures intersect with global initiatives for universal internet access.
The complexities and opportunities embedded in these stories underscore the dynamic nature of the telecommunications landscape. While Nigeria addresses immediate security concerns through SIM-NIN linkage, the global community rallies behind the vision of connecting the unconnected. It prompts a reflection on the delicate balance between local imperatives and global goals in an interconnected world.
The situation in Nigeria serves as a microcosm of the challenges that emerge when implementing large-scale technological transitions within a specific socio-economic context. As the NCC focuses on a data-driven approach to enhance consumer protection, the global community envisions a future where meaningful connectivity becomes a universal reality.
In navigating these challenges and opportunities, the narratives of SIM deactivation in Nigeria and the ITU’s digital agenda become threads woven into the broader tapestry of the telecommunications narrative. Only time will reveal the lasting impact of these decisions on the local and global telecommunications landscape.
