An NCC official said the policy is aimed to “protect minors” from the liabilities that arise from the usage of such SIMs.

The Nigerian telecommunication regulator, NCC, has disqualified Nigerians below the age of 18 from getting a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card.

Sources at the commission told PREMIUM TIMES that this policy is aimed to “protect minors” from the liabilities that arise from the usage of such SIMs.

One source, a senior official of the commission, told PREMIUM TIMES that parents and guardians can acquire SIMs in their names on behalf of their children and wards and assume any responsibilities or liabilities that may arise from the use of such SIMs.

The overall intent, according to sources, is to protect minors and strengthen national security.

NCC has been tweaking its telecommunications policies to combat security threats in Nigeria.

Constitutionally, 18 years is the age of consent in Nigeria.

NCC believes SIM acquisition is a contract between service providers and their subscribers, which requires the subscriber to have proper legal status, be of mature mind and be rational enough to bear certain responsibilities, obligations and liabilities imposed by a contract.

In 2021, the NCC proposed a Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations where it suggested banning minors in Nigeria from acquiring a SIM card. That regulation is now in effect, officials said.

One of the NCC officials said the policy will place a significant responsibility on parents to monitor the mobile activities of their minors.

This newspaper’s efforts to reach the NCC spokesperson were unsuccessful as at press time.


Reduction in subscribers

Data shows that Nigeria’s mobile subscriptions have dropped from 219 million in March to 153 million in September.

Officials said the decline was attributed to the removal of SIMs not linked to a verified National Identification Number (NIN).

Another reason was that there was a discrepancy in data submitted by a Mobile Network Operator.

One source said the NCC found that “one Mobile Network Operator incorrectly reported around 40 million subscribers as active, despite the absence of any revenue-generating activity over a 90-day period.”

“This was in direct violation of the Commission’s guidelines for determining active subscribers and led to an inflated report of the operator’s subscriber base, thereby skewing industry statistics.”

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/749047-ncc-bans-nigerians-under-18-from-buying-sim-cards.html

Make the sim registration with valid ID a must. No need of banning anyone.

Those below 18 years don't have valid id

APC n primitive policies sha

Some 18 year olds abroad are having PhDs abroad but APC lead administration feels they should not be allowed to buy SIM cards

Technically the rights to communication is restricted, then the cell phone network should be banned in Nigeria

helinues:
Make the sim registration with valid ID a must. No need of banning anyone.

Those below 18 years don't have valid id

NIN is also a means of identification...even 10 years old have NIN...

It's not new. You can't register a SIM Card with your NIN if you're below 17

How will they enforce the law?

Legal age do not apply to necessities, I don't understand how our policy makers reason at times.
Communications is part of the necessity of life, that's why you can post letters even as a child in the days when there was no mobile gadgets, except for land phones and nitel telephones.
Instead of modifying rules to be in tune with time, we just place a ban, and it's not like the ban won't have a loophole to be exploited.

Hmmm

Priorities.
This is the FG's priority.

udemzyudex:
How will they enforce the law?

The NIN is linked to the registered number. Operators who flout it will get sanctioned by the regulator. Operators are meant to enforce the law.

Misplaced priority in dis my country

But WEMA bank launched an app for teenagers last week.


Abi teenagers phones don't use sim card?

What difference does it make, laws don't work in Nigeria

I hope the North also implements it when it comes to marriage

Nigerian and their policies

There some Child Gadgets that needs SIM Cards, there are communication needs for children, the world is going digital and Nigerian Children needs to compete Globally not only National.

Big brothers

Dr Aminu Maida, so up North, those tender female children taken in as wives are responsible enough to be bedmates, responsible enough to be mothers, but not responsible enough to be bonafide owners of SIM cards?

You people are doing yourselves.

Under 18 again? They will soon sack NCC Chairman.

Hh

they keep pretending like they need SIM cards information to fight insecurity when the terrorists doing all the killings, kidnappings, hostage taking, genocide etc are on Snapchat and tik tok posting videos of their ramsoms, locations amd ammunition with their faces in full display

Nigeria government are plain wonderful.

adamma24:


NIN is also a means of identification...even 10 years old have NIN...

I wanted to say I registered nin for my baby even B4 she clocked 2years old.

helinues is fond of Speaking nonsense from his anus with confidence

This is 100% unnecessary..... because their parents will go and buy the simcard for their children......

Or their friends that is above 18 years will buy it for them....

Anything to say that they're doing something. They don't think things through before pushing it unto the citizens. What nonsense do they mean by "protect minors” from the liabilities that arise from the usage of such SIMs.". And there are some he-goats above me clapping for them. Did they also consider that most secondary schools purchase sims after NIN registration for JAMB registrations? This government must have a secret policy to take us back to the 20th century.

mrvitalis:
APC n primitive policies sha

Some 18 year olds abroad are having PhDs abroad but APC lead administration feels they should not be allowed to buy SIM cards

We are talking about Sim here and you are bringing education...

In the saner clime yall do refer to, there are countries where a child below 18yrs are not supposed to have some certain things. Bank account, properties in their names eg house or car or land... so give nigeria a break... I keep saying it. The country won't get better as long as the citizens still thrive in nepotism, tribalism, religional crises etc.... the country is better off separated than being together, or regionalism will be better too... hausas are more peaceful than yoruba and igbo, but they're can't tolerate religion and quick to kill, yoruba no dey tolerate tribe but are not quick to kill, igbo na I wan be head in business and make them dey see am as the highest in a place

We all have different traits and shouldn't be together....

So how should they register for WAEC or Jamb when NIN is compulsory.

Can we just face the real problem this country is facing

14 supposed to be the age

Good thinking in the right direction