Over the weekend, MTN Nigeria, the nation’s largest telecommunications company, barred the lines of thousands of subscribers who had yet to link their National Identification Number (NIN) to their SIM cards.
Similarly, many 9mobile subscribers have been unable to make or receive calls since Saturday night. This situation arose just days before the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) July 31, 2024 deadline for NIN-SIM linkage compliance.
MTN began blocking non-compliant SIMs in December 2023, according to sources familiar with the situation. However, some MTN users reported that their SIMs were blocked on Sunday despite having linked their NINs.
Possible reasons for the blockage could include incomplete NIN registration or a mismatch between NIN and SIM registration details.
Another MTN customer confirmed that her number was blocked because the name on her SIM registration did not match the name on her NIN, even though she had received multiple notifications from MTN to update her information.
In response to the blockages, many disgruntled subscribers flocked to MTN offices across Nigeria, forming long queues in the early hours of Monday, July 29, 2024, to voice their frustration and seek assistance.
As the issue escalates, telecommunications operators have provided simple steps for affected customers to unblock their lines without needing to visit an office.
Steps to Unblock Your MTN Line from Your Phone
MTN Nigeria has shared a method for subscribers to unblock their lines remotely. In a tweet, MTN explained the process:
1. Visit (http://nin.mtn.ng) to get started.
2. Follow the instructions provided on the website to link your NIN.
For additional assistance, MTN stores are open seven days a week.
Unblocking Your Line on Other Networks
– Airtel: Dial *121# and enter your eleven-digit NIN.
– Glo: Use the code *109*NIN# to link your NIN.
– Smile: Send your valid NIN to customercare@smile.com.ng or call 07020444444.
– Spectranet: Call the toll-free number 8002345678 to submit your NIN. You will need to complete your KYC at a Spectranet store.
– Ntel: Visit any Ntel store with your NIN to update your line information.
These steps aim to ease the process of unblocking SIMs and ensure compliance with the NCC’s regulations, helping subscribers maintain uninterrupted service on their mobile networks.
