By Kehinde KOLAWOLE
IN a theatrical unveiling, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) stepped onto the stage on Monday, casting a spotlight on the perplexing drama surrounding the exclusion of certain telecom subscribers whose SIM cards had once danced intimately with their National Identification Numbers (NINs).
The enigmatic Reuben Muoka, NCC’s spokesperson, took center stage, illuminating the narrative with a revelation. He painted a picture of mobile misfortune, suggesting that those entangled in the web of line restrictions might have stumbled upon this predicament due to the mysterious realms of unverified or foggy NIN submissions. The telecom saga unfolded, leaving subscribers awaiting the next act in this bewildering connectivity drama.
In the intricate dance of information, where names and data waltz with ambiguity, he unraveled the complexities. Muoka, a voice echoing through the airwaves of Channels Television, shed light on the verification labyrinth. Like stranded voyagers, some subscribers yearn for the NIN embrace from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). A symphony of corrective measures beckons for those entangled in the web of information disparities.
Muoka, in a bid to soothe subscriber worries regarding previous NIN submissions, shed light on the situation. He unveiled that certain lines faced restrictions due to a mismatch between the NIN information and the details stored on the SIM cards.
In a strategic move, he urged those affected to embark on a physical journey to their service providers’ outlets, unraveling the mystical web of NIN intricacies and vanquishing any lingering issues that may have crept into the digital realm.
Muoka, acknowledging the inconveniences of the current physical verification process, dropped a tantalizing hint about a futuristic twist. “For now, the stations demand our presence, but we’re envisioning a virtual voyage for verifications in the times to come,” he shared optimistically.
In a recent twist of regulatory fate, the NCC wielded its authority, directing telecom titans to sever ties with subscribers who neglected the sacred union of their phone numbers and NIN by the ominous deadline of February 28, 2024. Muoka, the harbinger of this news, reflected on the extended deadlines gifted since 2022 for the sake of ease but sternly emphasized the impending closure of this procedural saga.
In the digital realm of December 2023, Nigeria boasted a staggering 224 million mobile subscribers, a pulsating heartbeat of connectivity. MTN emerged as the reigning titan, commanding 38.79% of the market with a colossal 87 million subscribers. In its shadow, Globacom and Airtel stood as formidable rivals, each wielding a legion of 61 million subscribers. Meanwhile, 9mobile carved its niche with 13.9 million users.
Acknowledging the symphony of digits, Muoka celebrated the dance of technology, recognizing the NIN-SIM linkage as a digital ballet. This intricate choreography aimed not only to provide a secure digital identity but also to pirouette through the realm of convenience, streamlining digital services for all who partook in this grand performance.
In conclusion however, in a strategic move, the NCC orchestrates a symphony of audits set to unfold before the week’s curtain call. Armed with the curiosity of a detective, they embark on a quest to unveil the clandestine world of barred phone lines, extracting secrets from the vaults of service providers. The stage is set, and the drama of digits is about to unfold in this tech-infused mystery.
