MTN Nigeria and other mobile network operators (MNOs) have commenced the disconnection of phone lines not linked under the NIN-SIM registration of phone subscribers in the country.
The latest disconnection has been attributed to the July 31, 2024 deadline, an extension of the April 15, 2024 ordered by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for telcos to bar all subscribers whose NINs have not been linked to phone lines under the NIN-SIM registration programme designed to identify phone subscribers.
Thousands of Nigerians who have been affected by the disconnections have taken to their social media platforms to express their frustration with many complaining of being unable to make or receive calls.
Despite linking their NINs multiple times, some subscribers have also had their lines barred. The development has led to widespread public outcry, with large crowds gathering at MTN offices in major cities across the country to unbar their lines.
The Federal Government, through the NCC, mandated NIN- SIM registration on December 16, 2020 under plans to enhance national security. This was extended several times due to public outcry and logistical challenges. In February 2024, the NCC began a phased disconnection of unlinked lines, with the final phase scheduled to end on July 31, 2024.
MTN Nigeria, the market leader with a 37.35% share of the telecoms industry, has been significantly impacted by the NIN-SIM linkage directive.
The company’s CEO, Karl Toriola, confirmed the impact of the NIN-SIM directive on the company’s user base. In Q1 2024, MTN had to bar 8.6 million subscribers due to non-compliance, resulting in a net loss of 2 million subscribers. Despite this, the company managed to retain 77.7 million subscribers at the end of the quarter, the mobile phone company says.
How to unblock your line
To unblock a barred line, subscribers are advised to follow the steps provided by their respective telecom providers:
To unblock your MTN line:
Dial *996# or visit nin.mtn.ng.
Check NIN Status: Ensure your National Identification Number (NIN) is linked. If not, link it.
Enter OTP: You’ll receive a One-Time Password (OTP) via email and SMS.
Enter NIN: Input your NIN when prompted.
Give Consent: Agree to the terms and submit your NIN linking request.
For more details, visit nin.mtn.ng.
For Glo Users:
Dial *996# on your Glo line. If you receive an SMS confirming your line is linked, ignore any messages requesting re-registration. If you receive a message saying “sorry, you have not linked NIN to your line,” visit a Glo SIM registration outlet to re-register your line.
For Airtel Users:
Dial *996* Your 11-digit NIN# from the phone number you wish to link. Alternatively, visit www.airtel.com.ng/nin or use the Selfcare App. Use the ‘Submit ID’ icon on the app dashboard to link your NIN. For assistance, visit an Airtel store.
For 9mobile Users:
You can link your NIN to 9mobile either by dialing *996# using USSD codes or via the 9mobile official website. Both methods offer simple and convenient steps to complete the linking process. If you don’t know your NIN, dial *346# to retrieve it. Your lines will be reconnected after successful authentication of your NIN.
Understanding VNIN
The Virtual National Identification Number (VNIN) is a tokenized version of your NIN. It’s a 16-character alphanumeric code (e.g., “XS868977863229AU”) that is valid for 72 hours. NIMC deployed VNIN to provide a secure means of presenting the NIN in a format that protects it from being cloned or duplicated.
Cost: Generating a VNIN via USSD costs N20, while using the NIMC Mobile App is free.
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