The Federal Government has outlined new conditions for telecommunication service subscribers to have their lost, stolen, misplace or damaged SIM cards replaced.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed on Friday by the Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Ikechukwu Adinde; and Head, Corporate Communication, NIMC, Kayode Adegoke.
The statement was titled, titled, ‘SIM Replacement Policy For The Nigerian Telecommunications Industry’.
The Nigerian Communications Commission said subscribers must present their National Identification Numbers for their SIM cards to be replaced.
According to the statement, the National Identity Management Commission will also verify the National Identification Numbers presented by subscribers before Mobile Network Operators replace affected SIM cards.
It added that telcos are expected to adhere to other SIM replacement guidelines.
The statement read in part, “Based on recommendations of the Technical Committee, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy has approved a SIM Replacement Policy for subscribers whose SIMs have been lost, stolen, misplaced or damaged subject to the following conditions:
“That the subscriber presents a NIN; That an effective verification of the NIN is carried out by NIMC; and that the relevant Guidelines and Regulations of NCC concerning SIM Replacement are fully adhered to.
“This policy is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce the burden on subscribers and simplify the exercise. It is aimed at enabling telecommunications service users who need to replace their damaged, stolen or misplaced SIMs to re-establish access to telecom services.”