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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a new proposal requiring telecommunications providers to give subscribers at least 14 days’ warning before deactivating their SIM cards.
This move, detailed in a February 2026 consultation paper, aims to protect both prepaid and postpaid users from sudden “churning”—the process where an inactive or unpaid number is disconnected and eventually recycled.
Under the new rules, operators must reach out via an alternative phone number or email to alert the customer before the final disconnection date.
This regulatory update is part of the launch of the Telecoms Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS).
This platform is designed to serve as a secure, centralised database to combat fraud associated with swapped, barred, or recycled mobile numbers.
The NCC hopes to enhance the integrity of registered phone numbers and prevent criminals from exploiting “churned” lines that may still be linked to sensitive services like bank accounts by streamlining how identity data is managed across different sectors.
Currently, subscribers risk losing their numbers if they fail to perform a “revenue-generating event” for over six months, followed by an additional six-month grace period.
The proposed amendments would add a critical layer of transparency to this process, requiring telcos to report all deactivated number details to the TIRMS within seven days of completion.
This ensures that the status of every mobile identity is tracked accurately in real-time.
Public and industry stakeholders have until March 20, 2026, to submit their feedback on these changes.
Signed by Executive Vice Chairman Dr Aminu Maida, the proposal represents a significant shift toward consumer protection and digital security in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving telecoms landscape.
