The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a directive to telecom service providers to bar subscribers who have failed to link their phone numbers to their National Identification Numbers (NIN) on or before February 28, 2024.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Aminu Maida, who gave the directive through the Director of Public Affairs, Ruben Mouka, at the 45th Kaduna International Trade Fair on Wednesday, insisted that as matter of critical national security, telecom consumers must link their NIN to their SIM cards.

He insisted that the February 28th deadline given to telecom operators to bar subscribers who failed to link their NIN to SIM cards stands.

According to Maida, NCC is committed to protecting the rights of consumers while also ensuring their satisfaction while noting that the commission has created a universally acceptable environment to access “affordable and equitable service and supports the nation’s economic growth.”