African News Today

SIM-NIN: Deactivated Subscribers Storm Telecom Outlets, Queues Mount

6Apr

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Communication, Information Technology, News, Nigeria

SIM-NIN: Deactivated Subscribers Storm Telecom Outlets, Queues Mount

SIM Cards Some telecommunication subscribers were left stranded on Tuesday after telecom companies barred their lines from making calls following a directive from the Federal Government. The Federal Government had on Monday directed telecom companies to enforce compliance with its National Identification Number-Subscriber Identity Module policy by blocking outgoing calls on all unlinked lines after the deadline for the SIM-NIN verification expired on March 31. While giving the directive, the government revealed that 125 million SIMs had submitted their NINs for linkage. The Nigerian Communications Commission stated that there were 197.77 million active telecom subscribers as of February 2022. This means that over 72.77 million active telecom subscribers will be affected...

Telecom Operators Block Unlinked NIN-SIM Calls

5Apr

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Communication, Information Technology, News, Nigeria

Telecom Operators Block Unlinked NIN-SIM Calls

SIM Cards The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has complied with the Federal Government’s order to block certain lines. ALTON says subscribers affected are those yet to link their National Identification Number (NIN) with their SIM. The Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, and Head of Operations, Gbolahan Awonuga, made an announcement on Tuesday via a statement. They confirmed that operators received a formal directive from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Read Also: MTN, GLO, Other Telecoms Companies In Nigeria Threaten To Increase Tariffs The body said lines that are not in compliance with the NIN-SIM Linkage Policy requirement would remain shut out. The policy requires that all Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) must be...

NIN-SIM Linkage: FG Orders Telcos To Bar Outgoing Calls On All Unregistered SIMs

4Apr

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Communication, Information Technology, News, Nigeria

NIN-SIM Linkage: FG Orders Telcos To Bar Outgoing Calls On All Unregistered SIMs

Isa Pantami The federal government has directed telecommunication companies to bar outgoing calls on all unlinked lines. Unlinked lines are subscriber identity module (SIM) cards not yet linked with the National Identification Number (NIN). In December 2020, Isa Pantami, minister of communications and digital economy, announced the integration policy of SIM cards into the national identification number (NIN) database. Ikechukwu Adinde, director, public affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Kayode Adegoke, head, corporate communications, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), disclosed this in a joint statement on Monday. According to the statement, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the implementation of the NIN-SIM policy with effect from the...

23Mar

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Corruption, Crime, Information Technology, News, Nigeria

EFCC Arrests 33 Internet Fraud Suspects

Operatives of the Lagos and Enugu Zonal Commands of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday arrested 33 internet fraud suspects in separate sting operation. Seventeen of the suspects were arrested in Lagos while 16 others were nabbed at Enugu. The 17 suspects arrested in Lagos are Adefila Ayobami Ezekiel, Anamene Somtochukwu, Nzeako Kosisochukwu Anthony, Afolabi Ayomide Henry, Olatona Ayodeji Ebenezer, Obioho Ikenna Raphael, Famolayo Femi Hammed, Mintah-Joshua Oluwafemi, Martins Victor Onuoha, Babatunde Haruna Oluwaseyi, Taiwo Bolaji Kehinde, Ibeakolam Goodluck, Onaolapo Iyanu Samuel, Jamiu Damilola Lawal, Adeyanju Fawaz, AdejideSamuel and Obioho Obinna. They were arrested in an Estate around the Ikota axis of Lagos following credible intelligence received by ...

NIN-SIM Linkage: Security Agencies Get Buhari’s Nod To Access Subscriber Details

4Feb

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Communication, Information Technology, News, Nigeria, Security

NIN-SIM Linkage: Security Agencies Get Buhari’s Nod To Access Subscriber Details

Some security agencies have got approval from President Muhammadu Buhari, to access the database of the National Identity Management Commission in the course of carrying out their duties. As a result, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, said his office through the Nigerian Communications Commission, has conveyed the approval to the relevant security agencies. He did not give the names of the security agencies. He, however, said the development would enhance security as it would help security operatives to go after kidnappers and other criminals. Pantami disclosed this while speaking to Nigerian journalists on the sidelines of LEAP 22, a technology event, currently holding Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He said, “Some of the security institutio...

Nigeria Lost N10.72trillion To Twitter Ban — LCCI

15Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Communication, Finance, Information Technology, News, Nigeria

Nigeria Lost N10.72trillion To Twitter Ban — LCCI

The Nigerian economy lost N10.72trillion to the suspension of microblogging platform, Twitter, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry said. The figures were disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by Chinyere Almona, Director-General, LCCI. “In business terms, the cost of the seven-month shutdown of Twitter operations in Nigeria is estimated to be N10.72trillion ($26.1billion) according to Netblock’s Cost of Shutdown Tool,” Almona said. This is a huge loss to Nigeria as it represents about 63% of Nigeria's N17.1trillion budgeted for 2022. Recall that on June 4, the Nigeriag Government announced the suspension of Twitter after the social media platform deleted a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari. Read Also: Twitter Reacts To Lifting Of Ban In Nigeria After Over 200 Da...

Nigeria Better With Conditions Met, Keyamo Returns To Twitter

13Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Communication, Information Technology, News, Nigeria

Nigeria Better With Conditions Met, Keyamo Returns To Twitter

Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, SAN, says Nigeria is better off with all its conditions agreed by microblogging platform, Twitter. He stated this in his first tweet on Thursday after the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, lifted the suspension on Twitter after over seven months. “For those who prioritised politics over patriotism and exhibited disingenuous righteousness on Twitter suspension, they can now see that with all the FG conditions to which Twitter agreed, Nigeria is eventually better off for it. Congratulations Nigeria,” Keyamo wrote. Twitter had deleted a controversial civil war post by Buhari in June 2021. Read Also: Twitter Reacts To Lifting Of Ban In Nigeria After Over 200 Days’ Suspension Consequently, Minister of Informatio...

Twitter Reacts To Lifting Of Ban In Nigeria After Over 200 Days’ Suspension

13Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Communication, Information Technology, News, Nigeria

Twitter Reacts To Lifting Of Ban In Nigeria After Over 200 Days’ Suspension

Operations of the microblogging platform, Twitter, which was suspended over 200 days ago, by the Nigerian government have resumed. Nigerians can now access their Twitter accounts without using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Announcing its official return via its Twitter Public Policy account, the social media giant assured the Nigerian government that it is committed to driving civic participation. It tweeted, “We are pleased that Twitter has been restored for everyone in Nigeria. Our mission in Nigeria and around the world is to serve the public conversation. “We are deeply committed to Nigeria, where Twitter is used by people for commerce, cultural engagement, and civic participation. Read Also: Nigeria Incurs N247.61bn Loss in 100 Days of Twitter Ban “We’re committed...

Twitter Removes Osinbajo’s Post For Copyright Violation Of Beyonce’s Song

17Dec

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Information Technology, News, Nigeria

Twitter Removes Osinbajo’s Post For Copyright Violation Of Beyonce’s Song

Twitter has withheld a tweet by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo for copyright violation. On March 8, the vice-president posted a video in commemoration of International Women’s Day. Beyonce’s song ‘Run the World’ was used as the video’s audio. Quoting the tweet that same day, a Twitter user @olayknowless, had asked Beyonce to report Osinbajo’s account for violating the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”). “Ma’am @Beyonce, Nigeria’s current Vice President who has never properly done his job has used your song without permission, ask Jack your good friend to take care of his account In accordance with DMCA violation penalties,” the user wrote. The microblogging site took down the tweet afterwards, though the exact day this was done is not known. “This tweet has been withhel...

Nigerians Should Present NIN Before Using Restaurants – Pantami

28Nov

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Information Technology, News, Nigeria

Nigerians Should Present NIN Before Using Restaurants – Pantami

The Minister for Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, has stated that in order to secure Nigeria in the next few years, Nigerians should present and verify their National Identity Number even before using a restaurant. Pantami explained why his ministry insisted on the mandatory use of the NIN in spite of over 44 petitions written against the policy and several court cases in the country. The minister, who claimed he had since renounced his stance on terrorism, added that the NIN policy was mandatory by law in Nigeria and that it stood to secure the country. He said, “Without profiling, no country will be secured globally. Criminals don’t like it, and they have been fighting it day in, day out.” The minister stated this while speaking at a convocation lecture of ...